Beckham says No. 7 shirt should be 'an inspiration' for Memphis

Memphis Depay's recent struggles for form have him struggling to break into Manchester United's starting lineup, prompting David Beckham to urge the Dutchman to draw inspiration from his historic No. 7 instead of feeling intimidated.

The former PSV Eindhoven winger and current United No. 7 was a mainstay in Louis van Gaal's eleven at the start of the campaign, but has since seen fellow summer signing Anthony Martial or youth team graduate Jesse Lingard preferred on the left flank.

"I don't see (the shirt) as an intimidation, I see it as an honour," Beckham, who wore the number between 1997 and 2003, told Jamie Jackson of the Guardian.

The famous shirt has been obscured by Memphis' tracksuit jacket of late as he takes residence on the United substitutes' bench. Some speculate the expectation attached to the digit has placed too much weight on the 21-year-old's shoulders - a similar situation to when previous wearer and current teammate Antonio Valencia asked to have his old No. 25 back for "psychological" reasons.

"When you get given the No. 7 shirt it doesn't matter who has worn it in the past or what that player has achieved in the past," Beckham said. "At the end of the day it is a special shirt to wear but I don't think personally that it comes with any pressure. It always was an inspiration for me.

"It was never my shirt," Beckham continued. "It was George Best's, Bryan Robson's, Eric Cantona's. The only reason I wanted to wear the No. 7 shirt was because of these players. The No. 7 shirt is a special shirt for Man United. It always has been and it always will be."

Memphis could have the opportunity to win back his place in the United side for Saturday's trip to Watford, after Martial suffered an injury to his foot in France's friendly against England on Tuesday.

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