Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho has dropped a hint over his new number.
Alejandro Garnacho was overlooked for Manchester United’s iconic number seven shirt this week, with new signing Mason Mount given the honour.
Garnacho, 18, idolised former number seven Cristiano Ronaldo and plays with the kind of swagger which suggested he might be able to handle the pressure.
Erik ten Hag had different ideas, with Mason Mount receiving the famous shirt – leading to questions over what Garnacho’s next shirt number might be.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24
Alejandro Garnacho new shirt hint
Alejandro Garnacho did respond to missing out on the number seven, putting on a brave face and ‘liking’ the Instagram post which announced Mount getting the shirt.
There are questions over what his next number might be, as fans can not currently buy a ‘Garnacho 49’ shirt from the club’s online store. All other players and numbers are available.
It looks probably Garnacho could get a lower number to reflect his increased role in the first team, and he has now dropped a heavy hint what it might be.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Garnacho took part in a modelling shoot for Balenciaga this week, posted to their Instagram page.
In the shoot he holds a placard, clearly holding the number 28.
What number 28 means to Alejandro Garnacho
The number 28 shirt has significance to Alejandro Garnacho as these were the digits he wore when he made his Argentina debut last month. So the answer may have been hiding in plain sight all along.
The number may carry some significance too. The number 28 was the shirt number Cristiano Ronaldo wore at Sporting when he broke into their team back in the early 2000s, before clinching a move to Manchester United.
Manchester United number 28 shirt is occupied
There is one big problem with the theory… the number 28 shirt is currently occupied by Garnacho’s close pal Facundo Pellistri.
For Garnacho to take the 28, Pellistri would have to make a switch himself – however, he could be heading out on loan this season.
Pellistri is yet to start a Premier League game for Manchester United, and needs to go and play regular football. His best chance to do so is to leave on loan and impress from afield.
This could, at least temporarily, free up the number 28, if all parties can come to an agreement.
Alternatively, Pellistri could switch to 19, with Raphael Varane taking Phil Jones’ old number 4 shirt.