Alejandro Garnacho has not been handed the famous Manchester United No.7 just yet.
Instead, new United signing Mason Mount has taken the number made famous by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag offered the iconic jersey to Mount during discussions ahead of his move from Chelsea.
MEN Sport understand sources say the manager's decision to offer the number to the midfielder shows how much he is already valued and how important his role is going to be in the side following his initial £55million transfer. However, the news was met with disappointment from many fans who had their hearts set on Garnacho being awarded it.
The winger burst into the first team last season with a string of explosive performances off the bench and quickly established himself as the side's most exciting winger. Garnacho had been under consideration to get No.7 and become the first teenager to wear it since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003.
Also read: Mount will be compared to Ronaldo when United need another replacement
Last week supporters were unable to purchase the new home shirt with 'Garnacho 49' printed on the back, increasing expectations Garnacho would be handed No.7. Although that is no longer on the table, the Argentine could still be in for a new upgrade ahead of the season.
Here are the numbers Garnacho could still pick.
No.4 - Phil Jones' long stay at United has come to an end following the expiration of his contract and his No.4 is free for the first time since 2011. A number usually worn by a centre-back or centre-midfielder, it's highly unlikely Garnacho will be handed it. Instead, Raphael Varane is expected to move from No.19 for the number he wore with distinction for France. The defender asked for the number when he signed for United but Jones did not give it up.
No.13 - Though worn with pride by Ji-sung Park, the No.13 is usually taken by reserve goalkeepers at United with the likes of Anders Lindegaard, Roy Carroll and Mark Bosnich all wearing. It was last worn by another in Lee Grant, who retired last summer.
No.15 - Vacated by Andreas Pereira following his move to Fulham, the No.15 was worn in the latter half of last season by on-loan midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. With the Austrian returning to Bayern Munich it is free once again and was previously worn by fellow wingers Adnan Januzaj and Jesper Blomqvist.
No.19 - Though not available just yet as Raphael Varane is still wearing it, the No.19 could very soon become free for the teenager to take. Having previously been donned by Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck it would suit a young attacker who has come through the academy very well.
No.24 - The only other number currently available under No.30 thanks to United's bloated squad is No.24. It has been free since Timothy Fosu-Mensah left in 2021 and Darren Fletcher is its most renowned occupier.
