The Magnificent Sevens

In this authoritative and fascinating book, Frank Worrall takes a look behind the facts and fiction of the five men who have worn the number seven shirt with the most distinction. With the help of players, journalists, and a psychologist, he analyzes what made Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham, and Ronaldo tick, and assesses their credentials for a permanent place in the Old Trafford hall of fame. He looks at how 10 years after the tragedy, Best finally ripped away the cobwebs of Munich by winning the European Cup almost single-handedly for United; how Robson battled manfully to lift United at a time when they were mired in mediocrity; how Cantona turned the club back into winners after that long, dismal spell in the wilderness; how Beckham's stardust led to the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's personal holy grail with that audacious European Cup win in 1999; and how Ronaldo has offered hope and glitter to a United in transition. This is the full, no-holds-barred story of Manchester United's own Magnificent Sevens—the good, the bad, and the ugly.