Cristiano Ronaldo will wear Manchester United’s No 7 shirt on his return to Old Trafford.

The Portuguese forward has returned to his former club on a two-year deal with the option of a third.

Edinson Cavani had worn seven but agreed to switch to No 21, the number he wears for the Uruguay national team.

Ronaldo wore the No7 in his first stint at the club from 2003 until 2009, when he developed from talented teenager to the best player in the world under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring 118 goals in 292 appearances and winning three Premier Leagues and the Champions League.

Ronaldo inherited the shirt from David Beckham, who took it on from Eric Cantona.

Previous United legends to have work No7 include George Best and Bryan Robson. The nostalgic shirt completes Ronaldo’s homecoming narrative, and he is now set to make his second debut for the club next Saturday when Newcastle visit Old Trafford.

“I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to have the number seven shirt again, so I would like to say a huge thank you to Edi for this incredible gesture,” Ronaldo said on United’s Twitter feed.