Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson did not want David Beckham to be handed the number seven shirt at Old Trafford.

The iconic shirt became available when it's previous owner Eric Cantona announced his retirement back in 1997.

Keane has claimed in his new autobiography The Second Half that former manager Ferguson wanted the Irishman to take the shirt, which had also been worn by George Best, Steve Coppell and Bryan Robson.

"When Eric Cantona left there was a debate about who was going to be the next captain," the Daily Mail quotes an extract as saying. "I was quite relaxed about it.

"But there was his number, too - seven. Bryan Robson had had it before Cantona and, of course, it went back to Georgie Best. The manager pulled me into his office and said that he wanted me to wear the seven. I said, 'No, I'm not that bothered.' And he said, 'I know Becks will fucking want it and I don't want him to have it.' The little power battles.

"I'd had 16 since I'd signed for the club. I was comfortable with 16. I think it might have kept me on my toes, being outside the one to 11. I didn't think that I was a number seven. I said, 'Give it to Becks.' Becks got it, and it suited him."

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has gone on to play for Real Madrid, wore the number seven shirt, which now belongs to Angel di Maria.