MANCHESTER UNITED have earmarked Alejandro Garnacho to inherit Cristiano Ronaldo’s No.7 jersey.
The rising Argentinian has shown immense promise in his breakthrough season, scoring three goals and adding two assists in 559 Premier League minutes.
EPAAlejandro Garnacho has been earmarked to take on the club’s No.7 shirt[/caption]
ReutersThe 18-year-old has impressed in his breakthrough season[/caption]
The shirt was last worn by Cristiano RonaldoRex
And following his success, the Manchester Evening News report the club may reward Garnacho with the coveted No.7 shirt.
The number has not been worn at United since Ronaldo‘s unceremonious departure in November.
Ronaldo, 38, had his contract ripped up before sealing a move to Al-Nassr, making him the highest paid sportsman ever in the process.
Garnacho, 18, currently wears the No.49 shirt.
He penned a new five-year deal at United in April.
Should he adopt the shirt of his footballing hero, he will become the first teenage recipient of the shirt since Ronaldo himself in 2003.
However, to many United fans, the No.7 shirt is seen as “cursed”.
Big names and promising stars alike have taken on the weight of the shirt – worn by greats such as George Best, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson and David Beckham – and failed to make their mark.
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The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria, Michael Owen and Memphis Depay come to mind in recent times.
Ronaldo scored 24 goals in his first season upon his return to the club but could not stop United slipping to their worst-ever Premier League season.
The start of his second year saw his form drop off dramatically, netting just three times for United before he was whisked away to Saudi Arabia.
He has since been joined in the Middle East by Karim Benzema and Ruben Neves, with even more big stars such as Bernardo Silva reportedly set to follow.