Edinson Cavani was reportedly furious at the prospect of giving up the number seven shirt to Jadon Sancho.
Manchester United promised Sancho the iconic number when trying to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in 2020, but the German club's £100million asking price stalled the negotiations.
Cavani arrived at United in October the same year and was handed the iconic number, but The Athletic reports that the Uruguayan was "put out" by being asked to give it up for Sancho once talks resumed with Dortmund.
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Sancho arrived at Old Trafford in July this year and was given the number 25 shirt instead, in what has been a tough start to life back in English football for the 21-year-old.
He has failed to score a goal or assist in 13 appearances across all competitions, and was harshly mocked by Sky Germany with a "007" graphic that highlighted his struggles in front of goal after his first seven Premier League outings for the club.
But his luck in a red shirt could change with reported tweak in United's formation. The £73million summer signing could be deployed as a right-wing-back in the coming weeks, ahead of the more defensive-minded Aaron Wan-Bissaka in a 3-4-1-2 formation.
As for Cavani, he has fared slightly better after scoring his first goal of the season in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month.
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He is now donning the number 21 shirt after eventually relinquishing his number seven shirt number to Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Edinson has been remarkable," Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said at the time in quotes published by the Mirror.
"Cristiano spoke with Edinson and they spoke to each other. And to pass on his shirt just shows the respect he's got for Cristiano, but also Cristiano speaking to Edinson shows the respect the other way. Two top, top professionals and players."
Solskjaer's side return to action after the international break with a match away at Watford on 20th November.
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Jadon Sancho, Edinson Cavani, Cristiano Ronaldo