Manchester United, on Monday, announced the signing of former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani with the summer transfer window shutting close. The Red Devils confirmed on Deadline Day that the 33-year-old Uruguayan striker will pen a one-year contract with the option to extend for a further year and reports have indicated that he is set to take up the iconic No.7 jersey upon his arrival.
Paris Manchester
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 5, 2020
The next stop on @ECavaniOfficial's journey is .#MUFC pic.twitter.com/dzM78jXzqX
In the wake of this, fans of the club took to social media to express their grievances as many were under the impression that the jersey, donned by club legends such as George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, would be taken by Borussia Dortmund wizkid Jadon Sancho. The 20-year-old English winger was expected to complete a switch to Old Trafford after being touted as the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's No.1 transfer target but eventually ended up staying in Germany.
Despite agreeing personal terms with United, Borussia Dortmund did not sanction Sancho's departure as they were unwilling to offer the Red Devils a "coronavirus discount". In the end, an offer worth $120M was rejected by the Bundesliga outfit as it was still short of their $140M valuation.
Manchester United, as a result, concluded the transfer window with five new names on their book - Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles, Amad Diallo Traore, Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri. With the international transfer market shutting close on Monday, fans took to social media to express their frustrations following the announcement of Cavani's arrival. Here are a few reactions:
They gave cavani the no 7
— Anu Sama (@AnuolluwaX) October 5, 2020
Another alexis sanchez masterclass incoming
From a 22 year old, generational talent as our new No 7, to 33 year old Cavani!
— Jeh Jhita (@JehBang) October 5, 2020
Manchester United were negotiating personal terms and agent fees for two months when they knew all along BVB were not going to budge from their £108m valuation. What a sad end to the Jadon Sancho saga! He wanted to come, the fans were excited but United didn't bother to pay up.
— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) October 5, 2020
Get the Glazers out and Ed Woodward. All we wanted was Sancho, I cant believe you let all the fans down, this will never be forgotten.
— Corey Sims (@CoreySims__) October 5, 2020
We have made some shocking deals this window We are supposed to be Manchester United.
They gave Cavani the number 7 shirt that was supposed to be for Sancho. The final nail in the coffin. I'm convinced this club get joy from torturing their own fans.
— RiZzy (@RiZzyUTD) October 5, 2020
We wanted Jadon Sancho to be our number 7 to be the 'face of a new era' at United. We've ended it with a 33 year old free agent as our number 7. That should tell you everything. No plan, no idea, no shame.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) October 5, 2020
I can guarantee you this now, Jadon Sancho will never be a Manchester United player.
— Al Foran (@ImpressionistAL) October 5, 2020
€120m for Sancho was honestly a bargain ffs.
— Sam (@UtdSL) October 5, 2020
United missed out on record breaking numbers/ engagements across all their platforms, insane shirt sales, new poster boy, #7, getting one over City.. list is endless.
Yet here we are on deadline day in disappointment. Sigh pic.twitter.com/uoxlFSS2yy
United giving Cavani the number 7 shirt instead of Sancho is like getting a past it Madonna to do the Superbowl instead of prime Beyonce
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) October 5, 2020