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Christiano Ronaldo to wear fabled number 7

Manchester United's new teenage striker Cristiano Ronaldo has been handed the club's fabled number seven shirt because of his youth as manager Alex Ferguson plots another era of success at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo, 18, takes over the number formerly worn by George Best and most recently David Beckham after the youngster's £12.24 million (US$19.65 million) signing from Sporting Lisbon made him British football's most expensive teenage signing.

At a news conference yesterday to unveil United's latest signings Ferguson said: "One of the reasons we have given the shirt to Ronaldo is because he's young.

"He's a young lad who's going to get better and better. There have been some famous players at this club [who have worn number seven]. Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson and David Beckham have held the jersey over my time at the club.

"I think it was appropriate that a young player like Ronaldo should take it because hopefully he's going to be at the club for a long, long time."

United also presented Brazilian international Kleberson at Old Trafford following the completion of the midfielder's £6 million move from Atletico Paranaense.

Ferguson does not expect to add to his squad before the closing of the transfer window at the end the month.

But he believes his latest signings, who arrived following the departure of Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron, will enhance United's chances of retaining the premier league title and give them a better chance of winning the Champions League.

"There's a big issue of European football, which is very important to us now," he added.
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