New Manchester United signing Memphis Depay has asked to wear the club’s fabled No 7 shirt this season.

The young forward has volunteered to take the iconic jersey made famous by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo and about to be vacated by the outgoing forward Angel di Maria.

It is understood that United manager Louis van Gaal is yet to tell his squad their numbers. The number No 9 shirt is also available but Van Gaal has been impressed by Depay’s request, seeing it as an indication of the Holland international’s ambition and confidence.

Manchester United's summer signing Memphis Depay has asked to wear the club's iconic No 7 shirt

Depay (right) has volunteered to take the iconic jersey with Angel di Maria set to leave the club this summer

The Holland international's (right) request has been looked favourably upon by United boss Louis van Gaal

During the Red Devils' pre-season tour of USA, the 21-year-old (centre) wore the No 9 shirt

Di Maria (left) poses with the No 7 shirt last summer upon his £60m arrival to the club from Real Madrid

However, the Argentina international looks set for a £44m switch to PSG after a disappointing term in England

PREVIOUS MAN UNITED NO 7'S Eric Cantona - (1993-1997) David Beckham - (1997-2003) Cristiano Ronaldo - (2003-2009) Michael Owen - (2009-2012) Antonio Valencia - (2012-13) Angel di Maria - (2014-) *You could wear any shirt up until 1993-94 season when squad numbers were introduced. Prior to then Manchester United club legends such as George Best and Bryan Robson wore the No 7 shirt with great distinction. Advertisement

During the Red Devils' pre-season tour of the USA, Depay wore the No 9 shirt.

However, if Di Maria is sold to French side PSG in time for Friday’s noon Barclays Premier League deadline for squad numbers then Depay could well get the No 7 shirt.

If he does, the 21-year-old will hope to break the curse of recent No 7 flops at Old Trafford.

Di Maria’s spell at Old Trafford has been a complete disaster in the wake of his £60million record transfer from Real Madrid last August. He took the shirt from Antonio Valencia – who agreed to move to No 25 – while before that the injury-plagued Michael Owen carried the number.

Some pundits have already suggested Depay could one day have a similar impact to that of Ronaldo at Old Trafford. Taking the shirt worn by the great United forward, however, would only increase the pressure to perform in his debut season.

Meanwhile, Di Maria’s £44m switch to PSG is still not complete. When it does go through, however, Barcelona wide man Pedro is expected to move to Old Trafford.

Di Maria is likely to lose out on a significant amount of his pay-off from United after essentially asking for a move. This comes after already being fined two weeks wages for refusing to join United on tour in America eleven days ago.

Depay will be hoping to match the feats of United legend Cristiano Ronaldo - who wore the shirt with distinction