Manchester United fans are urging the club not to hand Alejandro Garnacho the No.7 shirt next season amid fears it would place too much pressure on the 18-year-old.
Garnacho has hinted that he wants the jersey after idol Cristiano Ronaldo left it vacant upon his November exit. The Manchester Evening News understands the youngster could be handed the iconic number.
The teenager only made his senior debut in April last year and began his first United match in October. He finished the season with five first-team goals and five assists, earning a League Cup winner's medal and featuring in the FA Cup final.
If he was to take the No.7 shirt, he would become the first teenager to do so since Ronaldo in 2003. The number has had somewhat of a cursed streak with the players who have donned it since.
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The likes of Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez have been bestowed the honour and have underwhelmed.
Ronaldo received special dispensation to take the number from Edinson Cavani after the 2021/22 season had begun upon his arrival in August 2021, before his explosive exit 15 months later.
United fans are fearful that the number could heap added pressure onto Garnacho, who signed a new five-year deal in April.
They are viewing the youngster as a player who will lead the Reds in future years and do not wish for anything to jolt his trajectory.
Many expressed their concerns on Twitter. Some suggested alternative numbers with others stating that giving him the No.7 would be "wrong”.
@Subhash_ati9: Need to not give that number to anyone for a few years. Cursed.
@MaxKnows18: Relax... give him 17 or 27 or something.
@RedDevilSox: He's not even in the first XI yet. Give the kid time.
@odogwukash: Wrong decision please, he is still growing don't pressure him.
@JJPW2006: Yeah right let's heap as much pressure on his young shoulders as possible.
