Alejandro Garnacho looks set to be handed the iconic No7 shirt at Manchester United, with the club website not taking orders on his current shirt number.
Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best are among the players to have donned the No7 shirt at United. The number is currently empty because no-one has claimed it since Ronaldo left for Saudi Arabia in December.
But there have been repeated hints over the past few months that Garnacho could be about to follow in the footsteps of his idol Ronaldo and change numbers for the 2023/24 season. The 18-year-old winger has worn No49 since graduating from the academy to the first team.
However, having impressed with five goals and five assists in 36 appearances, the Argentina international is poised to make a statement number change, with Jadon Sancho snubbed.
United have released their new kit for the upcoming campaign, but fans cannot buy one with ‘Garnacho 49’ on the back at present.
The drop-down menu on the club website allows supporters to purchase every other combination of first-team player and their number, but Garnacho is absent from the list. Notably, the gap between ‘Martinez 6’ and ‘Fernandes 8’ remains unclaimed.
Reports have suggested that United feel that Garnacho is ready to step up and take the No7 shirt. He has previously liked a tweet suggesting that move be made, while his brother has dropped the not-so-subtle hint of posting a picture of Garnacho with the shirt on his back.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Alejandro Garnacho ready for the No7 shirt at Manchester United? Comment below.
Garnacho committed his long-term future to United by signing a new contract with the club in April. He is now under contract at Old Trafford until June 2028 and he is clearly ambitious.
If, as expected, he takes the No7 shirt he would be following in the footsteps of Ronaldo, Edison Cavani, Alexis Sanchez, Memphis Depay, Angel Di Maria and Antonio Valencia in United’s recent history.
Garnacho grew up idolising Ronaldo and loved playing alongside the Portuguese superstar before his exit. He has previously paid tribute to Ronaldo by performing his trademark Siuuuu celebration and was given a match ball by the forward after he scored a hat-trick vs Norwich in April 2022.
“I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way,” he said after signing the new contract in April. “We are all humbled to have this chance to continue our journey at Manchester United and I have already begun to work on achieving the next set of targets and ambitions.
“The manager and his coaching staff have helped me to improve in every way, and with their support, I am developing each day to help the team to be successful. I am relishing the future and can’t wait to create more special memories with this group, in front of our amazing supporters.”
