Man United 'consider awarding youngster their fabled No 7 shirt'
Reports suggest that Manchester United are considering the possibility of bestowing their iconic No 7 shirt upon talented teenage forward Alejandro Garnacho. At just 18 years old, Garnacho made his first-team debut for United against Chelsea in April of last year and has since established himself as a regular under manager Erik ten Hag. Currently donning the No 49 jersey, Garnacho found the back of the net three times in the Premier League last season and made impactful appearances from the bench in crucial matches.
Now, there is speculation that the young winger may be in line for a promotion, with Manchester United contemplating the idea of assigning him the coveted No 7 shirt, recently vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester Evening News reports that Garnacho, who committed his future to Old Trafford by signing a five-year contract in April, could potentially be granted this honor. If it were to happen, he would become the first teenager to receive the No 7 shirt since Ronaldo himself in 2003.
However, the No 7 shirt has had a mixed history since Ronaldo's initial departure from United in 2009. Several players who wore the shirt following Ronaldo's departure, including Michael Owen, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay, and Alexis Sanchez, struggled to make a significant impact at the club. Edinson Cavani, on the other hand, made a positive impression during his relatively short stint. Antonio Valencia also faced difficulties shouldering the weight of the iconic shirt. Subsequently, the No 7 shirt was returned to Ronaldo upon his second arrival at the club. Unfortunately, his second tenure at United concluded on a sour note, leaving the number vacant once again.
Garnacho's performances last season showcased his importance to the team, as he scored decisive goals against Fulham and West Ham in the Premier League and FA Cup, respectively. He also displayed his talent by finding the back of the net in victories over Leeds and Wolves. The young forward earned his first start for the club against FC Sheriff in the Europa League in October and scored his first senior goal just a week later against Real Sociedad.
Garnacho's journey at Manchester United began when he joined the club from Atletico Madrid at the age of 16 in 2020. He quickly caught the attention of the United youth ranks with his impressive performances, leading to him being named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season. However, there were also instances where his attitude was called into question. Ten Hag included him in the squad for the pre-season tour but omitted him from the matches after Garnacho arrived late for team meetings on two occasions. Bruno Fernandes publicly acknowledged that the young player was not displaying the best attitude. Nonetheless, Garnacho had an opportunity to showcase his abilities in United's final friendly against Rayo Vallecano, where he left a positive impression.
Earlier this month, Garnacho received a long-awaited international debut for Argentina, coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes in a 2-0 victory. This further highlights the recognition he has garnered for his talent and potential.
In summary, reports suggest that Manchester United are contemplating awarding Alejandro Garnacho, their talented teenage forward, with the No 7 shirt. Despite being only 18 years old, Garnacho has already made his mark in the first team with impressive performances and crucial goals. The No 7 shirt has had mixed fortunes since Cristiano Ronaldo's initial departure, but Garnacho's potential and promising displays have captured the attention of the club. However, concerns have been raised about his attitude, and his inclusion in the squad was impacted by his tardiness to team meetings during the pre-season tour. Nevertheless, Garnacho's talent has been acknowledged both domestically and internationally, and if he were to receive the iconic No 7 shirt
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