Alejandro Garnacho will have to wait for the Manchester United No.7 shirt after it was handed to new signing Mason Mount.
The England international completed a £60m move from Chelsea on Wednesday and will take on the iconic shirt number at Old Trafford. It has been absent since Cristiano Ronaldo's sudden exit but has previously been donned by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.
Garnacho, who made his admiration for Ronaldo known, has been tipped as a future star given his impact in the first-team at a young age. He recently penned a new long-term deal, earning him £50,000-a-week, and on social media highlighted his desire to wear No.7 with a cryptic post regarding his number of followes.
He also celebrated his 19th birthday on July 1 appeared to highlight his desire for the number as he was pictured with an Argentina-themed cake sporting the No.7 as the showpiece.
For now though he will likely have to continue wearing the No.49 as he pushes for more involvement under Erik ten Hag. The teenager put himself on the map with a stoppage time winner at Fulham back in November and has continued to impress when given the chance.
He scored a late strike that helped see off West Ham in the FA Cup and then produced moments of class as a sub in the FA Cup final, which United ultimately lost to Manchester City. Garnacho has previously claimed the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award and there are growing calls for him to be handed more minutes.
The Argentine said after extending his deal until 2028: “When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest. 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."
Mount's arrival shouldn't hamper Garnacho's development, although the former Blue could play as a wide forward if required. United already have several men they can call upon in that area with Marcus Rashford among them. Options such as Anthony Martial, Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho have all been linked with moves away.
United's new boy will strengthen a midfield that includes the likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes. Optimism around the Red Devils is growing and Mount is confident they can continue in the right direction.
“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag," he said. "Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here. I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
