David Beckham is a man who needs no introduction. The 40-year-old legend is known all over the world as one of the finest footballers to have graced the game. Having made over 250 appearances for Manchester United, as well as another 100+ for England – Beckham will always be fondly remembered around the country, United fan or not.

During his time at Old Trafford, Beckham wore the famous No.7 shirt and without a doubt goes down as one of the more ‘rememberable’ players to have donned the number. Former No.7’s such as Cantona, Best and Beckham himself will forever be remembered as poster boys for the shirt, but since the departure of Ronaldo, there has yet to be a new suitor to the iconic shirt.

New boy Memphis Depay has so much hype to live up to when he signed for United last summer. The 21-year-old is an exciting player to have in the ranks, but so far he has struggled to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. Many have also speculated that the Dutchman is intimidated by the No.7 shirt he wears.

However, David Beckham has urged Memphis to use the history of Manchester United’s iconic No 7 shirt as inspiration to rediscover his form.

“I don’t see it as an intimidation, I see it as an honour,” Beckham said. “When you get given the No 7 shirt it doesn’t matter who has worn it in the past or what that player has achieved in the past.”

“At the end of the day it is a special shirt to wear but I don’t think personally that it comes with any pressure. It always was an inspiration for me.”

“It was never my shirt. It was George Best’s, Bryan Robson’s, Eric Cantona’s.”

“The only reason I wanted to wear the No 7 shirt was because of these players. The No 7 shirt is a special shirt for Man United. It always has been and it always will be.”

Beckham was eventually handed the shirt by Sir Alex Ferguson but only after being forced into giving up the No 10 after Teddy Sheringham joined United in 1997.

“I went from wearing the No 10 shirt and then the manager calling me in and saying: ‘We’ve just signed Teddy Sheringham and he wants No 10.’ And I was like: ‘Oh really, do I have to give it up?’

“There wasn’t really a conversation to be honest. So obviously I didn’t argue the fact. I always wanted the No 7 shirt; I just never thought I’d get it.

“But when the manager decided to give me it, it was special.”

[All quotes sourced from Sky Sports]