Ronaldo looks set to reclaim iconic Number 7 shirt on his return to Old Trafford

Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to reclaim the iconic No. 7 jersey at Manchester United, following confirmation of his return to the Theatre of Dreams.

Edinson Cavani, who is currently allocated seven, is reportedly willing to give up the cherished shirt, and there is a precedent for changing Premier League squad numbers during the season, it has emerged.

Ronaldo's Old Trafford return was finally confirmed Tuesday, with the Portugal star completing his dramatic move from Juventus and becoming a United player for the second time in his career.

United have splashed out £12.9m on the 36-year-old with £6.9m to follow in add-ons. Ronaldo has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with an option for a further year after passing a medical in Lisbon at the weekend. It could see him playing for United until he is 39.

Ronaldo made his name during his first spell at Old Trafford wearing the squad number seven, which was previously worn by club heroes, including, George Best, Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Eric Cantona.

With 84 goals and 34 assists in 196 Premier League appearances for United, the Portuguese enhanced the status of the famous jersey and in the eyes of many fans, to be reunited with the number now, would make his return complete.

However, the shirt number has already been allocated to Cavani for this season and even if the Uruguayan was prepared to give it up, the Premier League would have to agree to the change.

Rule M4 in the Premier League handbook states: ‘While he remains with the Club a Player will retain his shirt number throughout the season for which it was allocated.’

The Telegraph reports that the issue of Ronaldo’s shirt number was raised in talks when the sensational deal for the player was agreed last week.

And little wonder. Ronaldo’s CR7 brand has been used to sell underwear, hotels, gyms, nutritional supplements and cologne, as well as sports merchandise, and is a major earner.

While Cavani wore seven in United's 1-0 win at Wolves this weekend, it looks increasingly likely that he would be open to the switch. And the wheels will be oiled by Daniel James' impending move to Leeds United, which would vacate the No. 21 shirt - a number that Cavani already wears for Uruguay.

Leeds United have agreed a £25m fee with Manchester United for James.

As Cavani made a substitute appearance at Molineux, fans wielded a cardboard cutout of Ronaldo in a United strip, wearing seven.

If Cavani is agreeable, and United want to make the change, the club would have to apply to the Premier League board for approval.

United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has already hinted that Cavani is ready to give up the number.

‘Cavani, I have to say, what a man! He saw who was coming to town and gave up the No.7 shirt,’ said Ferdinand on his FIVE YouTube show after the transfer announcement.

Although, he quickly toned down his remarks.

‘Maybe? I don’t know!’ he added. ‘Does he do that or not?

‘At the end of the day you know what the problem might be is that the shirts have been registered, maybe. And that might be an issue. So, he might not be able to be No.7 so we’ll see.’

However, the view that Cavani could change numbers has been supported by ESPN sports editor, Dale Johnson, in a series of tweets setting out how the changes could be made.

The top flight has given no indication on how the request would be received.

However, there is a precedent, with Tottenham Hotspur juggling squad numbers in the 2012-13 season.

Midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart, who wore No.10, was sold on August 31, 2012, to Hamburg and Emmanuel Adebayor moved from 25 to 10, saying the latter number was ‘special’ for him.

Adebayor covered the cost of providing fans with new shirts, if they had already purchased one featuring ‘Adebayor 25’.

Similarly, the Premier League has previously allowed squad numbers to change during pre-season, in the case of Joelinton and Callum Chambers at Newcastle United, for example, provided the costs of replacements are covered by the clubs.

If agreements are not reached with the Premier League, there is still the opportunity for Ronaldo, who has linked up with the Portugal squad this week, to turn out for United in the number seven shirt this season.

Players do not have to wear the same shirt number in both European and domestic competition, according to Metro.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan wore seven in the Premier League for United but No. 77 in the Europa League – so Cavani could still give Ronaldo the No.7 shirt for their Champions League matches.

Aside from wearing 28 at Sporting Lisbon as a teenager at the start of his career and number nine in his first season at Real Madrid, Ronaldo has always sported the number seven.