Alejandro Garnacho is swiftly positioning himself as one of the brightest talents at Manchester United, steadily proving his value with each passing game. His performances have not only earned him praise but also ignited discussions about whether he could be the next player to inherit the club’s legendary No.7 shirt. Garnacho’s recent displays, particularly his stellar outing against Barnsley, have only solidified his growing importance to the team and raised the possibility that he could be ready for this iconic responsibility.
In Manchester United’s clash against Barnsley, Garnacho delivered a breathtaking performance, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Though the opposition was a lower-tier side, the Argentine winger’s all-around display of skill, precision, and confidence highlighted his growing stature in the team. With this performance, Garnacho’s contribution for the season reached seven goals or assists in just six matches, underlining his consistency and growing influence within the squad. While the Argentine media has been quick to shower him with praise, there remains a glaring fact — the coveted No.7 shirt, one of the most iconic jerseys in world football, still eludes him. Garnacho, now 20 years old, undoubtedly harbors the ambition of donning this prestigious shirt one day.
The story of the No.7 jersey at Manchester United took an unexpected turn when Mason Mount, a summer signing from Chelsea for £55 million, was handed the number. Many fans were left questioning whether Mount, despite his talents, was the right choice for such an iconic shirt. After all, the No.7 has historically been reserved for players who are not just good but transformative — players who can carry the weight of expectation that comes with wearing it. At the time of Mount’s arrival, the belief was that Garnacho, while promising, was still not quite ready to take on that monumental responsibility.
For Garnacho, watching another player wear the number he has likely dreamed about must have been difficult. The No.7 jersey is more than just a number at Manchester United; it is a symbol of greatness, worn by legends like George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo. To see Mount take up the mantle while Garnacho continued to bide his time on the pitch surely fueled his determination to earn the shirt through his performances. Now, a little over a year later, Garnacho’s form is sending a clear message: he is becoming the player who not only desires the No.7 shirt but is growing into the kind of footballer who can justify wearing it.
Historically, the No.7 shirt at Manchester United comes with immense pressure. For nearly two decades, the club has seen several players struggle under the weight of its legacy. Since Ronaldo first wore the number in 2003, only a few players, including Ronaldo himself and Edinson Cavani, have truly managed to live up to its lofty expectations. Others, such as Alexis Sanchez, Memphis Depay, Angel Di Maria, Antonio Valencia, and Michael Owen, found the burden too much to bear. Even Valencia, who went on to become a reliable captain for the club, had to relinquish the No.7 shirt after a brief and underwhelming spell with it, further highlighting how difficult it is to thrive in such a storied jersey.
Mount’s current tenure with the No.7 will inevitably be scrutinized, especially given the performances of players like Garnacho, who are making a strong case for the number themselves. The burden of the shirt has often been too heavy for even world-class players, but Garnacho’s growing confidence and determination suggest he could be the one to finally break this trend. He is not content to simply be handed the number based on potential; instead, he is working tirelessly on the pitch to prove that he deserves it.
Garnacho’s ambition to wear the No.7 is not merely based on his talent alone; it is driven by his belief in his ability to rise to the occasion, just as Cristiano Ronaldo, Cantona, and Beckham did before him. The young winger has demonstrated not only his technical skills but also a maturity beyond his years. He understands that wearing the No.7 comes with more than just fame and prestige — it comes with responsibility, leadership, and a relentless drive to win. Garnacho’s hunger for success, combined with his recent form, indicates that he is not just hoping for the number to be bestowed upon him; he is earning it through his actions on the pitch.
Unlike several players in the past who were handed the No.7 shirt without having fully proven themselves, Garnacho is determined to earn it the hard way. His performances this season suggest that he is ready to take on that challenge, and his willingness to work for the shirt rather than expect it reflects the kind of attitude that has made past No.7 wearers legendary. If Garnacho can maintain his form throughout the 2024/25 season, Manchester United may soon face a difficult but exciting decision: whether to pass the torch of the No.7 shirt to one of their most promising young stars.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Garnacho as he continues to grow into one of United’s key players. With each passing game, he moves closer to fulfilling his dream of wearing the No.7 shirt — and if his recent performances are anything to go by, the club may soon have no choice but to give him the honor. The weight of history will always be there, but Garnacho seems ready to embrace it, and in doing so, he could become the next in a long line of Manchester United legends.