Uruguay Star Edinson Cavani has swapped numbers with Cristiano Ronaldo after being granted permission by the Premier League on Thursday, September 2
Cavani will now Don the number 21 jersey that became vacant after United’s Daniel James moved to join Leeds United permanently while Ronaldo will now inherit the number 7 jersey.
"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 (Cavani) for this incredible gesture," stated Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner wore the no.7 shirt in his first spell at United, where he played for 12 years before moving to Real Madrid.
He stated that he was happy to be back to his maiden team.
"I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it's a new chapter, I'm so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and, number one of them, to win great things," stated the Portuguese forward.
The 36-year-old scored a world record 110th international goal as he fired Portugal to a dramatic victory over the Republic of Ireland in Wednesday's World Cup Qualifier.
As a way of celebration, the star removed his shirt, making the referee Matej Jug grant him a yellow card, meaning he was suspended for Tuesday’s upcoming friendly match against Azerbaijan.
A statement on the Portuguese Football Federation's official website said: "Cristiano Ronaldo was excused from the stage of the national team this Thursday.
"The yellow card seen against Ireland, being the second in this stage of qualification, forces him to fulfil an official game of suspension, which will happen against Azerbaijan," read the statement.
His release means he will also miss Saturday's friendly against Qatar in Hungary, who are the 2022 world cup hosts.