Juan Mata debut: Can the £37m signing live up to the previous wearers of the Manchester United No 8 shirt?

The Spaniard makes his debut against Cardiff City

Juan Mata makes his Manchester United debut against Cardiff City tonight, starting in the match to give the Old Trafford faithful their first glimpse of him in the No 8 shirt.

Many thought he would take the illustrious No 7, as worn by the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, he instead took the shirt most recently vacated by Anderson.

While the previous incumbent may not have set the bar too high - some former Manchester United players have given Mata something to live up to.

Here, we take a look at the players to wear the Manchester United No 8 shirt since squads were assigned a number for the season...