Alejandro Garnacho has 'requested' a new shirt number after sealing new Man United contract
Alejandro Garnacho may have only just signed a new multi-year contract at Manchester United, but already the youngster has set his sights on another career milestone.
Indeed, if the Argentine's Twitter feed is anything to go by, he looks to be eyeing up a new shirt number for himself - and he is certainly aiming high.
On Friday (28 April) Manchester United announced that Garnacho had put pen to paper on a new five-year deal, tying him down until 2028.
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Its been a breakthrough season for the 18-year-old, who already has five goals to his name in all competitions. While facing serious competition in the wide areas from the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, Garnacho is tipped to become a star at Old Trafford, which may just see him earn the iconic Number 7 shirt at the club.
The attacker's idolisation of Cristiano Ronaldo is well-documented, and as such, inheriting the shirt number that the superstar wore during two spells with United would be fitting in many ways.
And so, after news of his contract renewal was released, Garnacho wasted no time in liking one fan's tweet which called for the academy graduate to get the No.7 now.
The fan account wrote: "Give Garnacho the 7 shirt" - which was promptly 'liked' by the man himself. Subtle!
The fate of the number 7 shirt is still unknown, as no player currently wears it following Ronaldo's controversial exit to Al Nassr.
Previously worn by George Best, David Beckham and Eric Cantona, giving the shirt to an 18-year-old would certainly be a show of faith in his abilities, although it surely remains unlikely for the time being at least.
Nevertheless, a new number of some kind is possible for Garnacho, who currently has 49 on his back.
Despite the winger's promise, not all United fans were in support of him getting No.7 just yet.
Responding to a tweet sharing news of Garnacho's 'like', one fan wrote: "That's for Jadon Sancho", with a second adding, "Still early for him to get it. I'm sure Antony wants it too".
Of late, Sancho and Antony have been preferred in the wide areas to Garnacho by United boss Eric ten Hag, although its worth remembering the pair are vastly more experienced as players.
Other fans weren't dismissive of the idea, but instead emphasized that the number has to be earned over a period of time.
A third wrote on Twitter: "Has to be earned not given", with another adding, "gonna have to earn it."
Topics: Alejandro Garnacho, Argentina, Manchester United, Premier League, Fan Reactions
Tom Fenton