Man Utd's Cavani Hoping to Do Justice to Iconic No. 7 Shirt

Manchester United’s new recruit Edinson Cavani. (AFP)
Manchester United’s new recruit Edinson Cavani. (AFP)
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Man Utd's Cavani Hoping to Do Justice to Iconic No. 7 Shirt

Manchester United’s new recruit Edinson Cavani. (AFP)
Manchester United’s new recruit Edinson Cavani. (AFP)

Manchester United’s new recruit Edinson Cavani says he is relishing the challenge of playing in the Premier League and is confident he can handle the pressure of wearing the club’s iconic No. 7 jersey.

Cavani, who left Ligue 1 champions PSG after his contract expired last season, joined United on a free transfer, penning a one-year deal with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

He will sport the No. 7 jersey previously worn by United greats George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I know that once you’re out on the pitch, the number you have on your shirt has no influence,” the 33-year-old striker told the United website.

“But when you get the chance to pull on the No. 7 shirt at United... it really is a nice responsibility to have. I hope that I can do it great justice and leave it in as high regard as the many great players who have worn it before me.”

Cavani scored 200 goals in 301 appearances for PSG and departed the French champions as their all-time leading goal scorer. The Uruguayan hopes to have similar success in England.

“It’s right up there with the best leagues anywhere in the world,” he said. “For me that’s a real honor and a new challenge, which really excites me a lot.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have played against a lot of English sides, but now it’s my turn to experience playing and competing every weekend and in every match in the Premier League.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who are 16th in the standings, face Newcastle United on Oct. 17 when they return to action after the international break.



Oman Hires Carlos Queiroz as Coach in Push for World Cup Qualification

Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz looks on ahead the start of the World Cup group B soccer match between Wales and Iran at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP)
Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz looks on ahead the start of the World Cup group B soccer match between Wales and Iran at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP)
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Oman Hires Carlos Queiroz as Coach in Push for World Cup Qualification

Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz looks on ahead the start of the World Cup group B soccer match between Wales and Iran at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP)
Iran's head coach Carlos Queiroz looks on ahead the start of the World Cup group B soccer match between Wales and Iran at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP)

Oman hired Carlos Queiroz as its national-team coach Tuesday ahead of autumn games that will determine if the country advances to the World Cup for the first time.

The veteran Portuguese tactician led Iran into the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and will take over with immediate effect.

Oman and five other countries — Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar — have reached the fourth round of qualifying. From groups of three, the two winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The fourth-round draw will be on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The matches are in October. After those, there’s one additional round — the second-place finishers square off in November for a spot in a playoff tournament.

“This comes as part of efforts to improve the team’s performances for upcoming games,” the Oman Football Association said in a statement.

Queiroz replaces Rashid Jaber, who led Oman to a fourth-place finish in the third round to keep qualification hopes alive.

The 72-year-old Queiroz has also coached Real Madrid, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia and Qatar.

Queiroz was fired as Qatar coach in December 2023 after 11 games in charge.