Manchester United have given their clearest hint yet that Alejandro Garnacho is set to be handed a new squad number next season.
Though their thunder was stolen somewhat by rapper Aitch donning it a few days early on the Glastonbury stage, United officially released their new home kit for the 2023/24 season on Tuesday morning. The kit is manufactured by Adidas and aims to pay homage to Manchester's industrial heritage with geometric designs taking inspiration from the Lancashire rose and the bridge over the river Irwell.
The mostly red shirt features a black, white and red striped crewneck collar, the three stripes of Adidas in black, and black piping down the sides. It comes with white shorts and predominantly black socks with white and black stripes at the top.
The kit is on sale now, and United's website gives fans the option to add the name and number of their favourite player to the back of the shirt. However, 'Garnacho 49' is not currently a pre-loaded option for supporters to be able to select, hinting that he might not be wearing the number 49 next season.
Were United to offer 'Garnacho 49' as an option and the player subsequently be handed a new number, United would likely have to reimburse those fans who had purchased a Garnacho shirt with 49 on the back.
Garnacho finished this season with six goals and six assists and looks destined to play an even bigger role in the coming year. The MEN reported last week that United were considering handing Garnacho the club's iconic No.7 shirt.
The jersey has been vacant since Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonius departure in November and if handed it he would become the first teenager to wear the famous number since Ronaldo himself in 2003. Garnacho signed a five-year contract with United in April and the No.7 would be an acknowledgement of his meteoric rise.
The No.7 is United's most iconic number having previously been worn by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham but it has lost its prestige in recent years. Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay, Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani all underwhelmed while Ronaldo's second stint ended in disgrace.
