Who will be the next owner of the No. 7 shirt at Manchester United?

Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2009, as many as six players have worn the No. 7 shirt for Manchester United. Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay, Alexis Sanchez and Edison Cavani have all taken the iconic number at Old Trafford. The Al Nassr player returned to United in 2021, but his second spell with the Red Devils was shorter than expected. In the last winter transfer window, Ronaldo packed his bags and left the famous number idle. Several months on from his departure, United could have the Portuguese striker’s successor.

“Manchester United are weighing up the possibility of giving talented young forward Alejandro Garnacho the legendary number 7,” reports the Manchester Evening News. After his first season with the first team, and having renewed his contract in April for the next five seasons, Garnacho could be given the honour of wearing the number.

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Argentina international

The Argentina international is one of the young stars at United. In the 2022-23 season, and despite the injury he suffered in the final stretch of the campaign that kept him out for several weeks, he emerged as a top talent to come off the bench for Erik ten Hag. In 34 games - 11 of them as a starter - Garnacho scored five goals and provided four assists.

The 18-year-old winger made his debut with the No. 75 at United in 2022 and played his first game for Argentina with 28 on his back. He currently wears 49 under Ten Hag but could be set to grab the 7 shirt. Other candidates to inherit it are Jadon Sancho, who wears 25, and Antony, the owner of the No. 21 shirt.