Yet again the summer, Manchester United have another signing.
No, it’s not Paul Pogba. It’s not even a footballer, for that matter.
Instead, United announced on Monday that they’ve bolstered their ever-growing army of official partners with Virgin Money becoming their… *breathes in*… ‘Official Retail Financial Services Partner in the UK’.
.@usainbolt, know you’ve always wanted to sign for @manutd – too slow, I’ve got there first! https://t.co/vCCNw0eeoK pic.twitter.com/pqvU849GoL
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) July 18, 2016
Various pictures of a beaming Richard Branson began to circulate after the announcement, but it was the following image, showing him holding up a United shirt with his surname and the number seven on the back, which seemed to grab the most attention.
Welcome, @RichardBranson! @VirginMoney, our new UK Retail Financial Services Partner: https://t.co/ZsAUqtKfdl pic.twitter.com/r4y4oHcqea
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 18, 2016
Some of the finest players in the club’s history have worn the number seven shirt, but it’s fair to say that its current owner, Memphis Depay, didn’t have the best of debut seasons at Old Trafford last year.
His failure to hit top form, coupled with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have seen some suggest that the Dutchman may be given a different squad number in time for Jose Mourinho’s first competitive match in a few weeks while someone new will take up the mantle of the number seven shirt. Some reports have claimed it will be Ibrahimovic; others have hinted it may be Anthony Martial.
So, the sight of Branson with the number seven shirt was always going to result in lots of people making the same joke, wasn’t it?
https://twitter.com/MaximumMartial/status/755048364333465600
https://twitter.com/gmattheus116/status/754978046801686528
@ManUtd just signed 68 year old Richard Branson who will replace @Memphis and take the no. 7 shirt! Solid signing! pic.twitter.com/PXBQwEuC0Q
— sohail (@sohailll3) July 18, 2016
Branson getting the no.7. Certainly one for the future! Goodbye Memphis then. pic.twitter.com/MBG9VxiepE
— 🍁™ (@FutbolEnough) July 18, 2016
I'm not saying that Memphis had a particularly impressive season, but come on… pic.twitter.com/3SQAYtPQDD
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) July 18, 2016
God love the internet. Nothing if not predictable.
