Alejandro Garnacho has already made himself a firm favourite among Reds over the past year or so and is undoubtedly one of the club’s most treasured young talents — so much so that many Reds believe he’s first in line for a coveted new shirt number.
The Argentine winger wore the 75 on his Man United debut in April 2022 but has been wearing the 49 shirt ever since, and while numbers do very little to define a player’s position or quality these days, it’s still a big part of football culture that feels special and significant to many fans and players alike.
Undoubtedly, the most iconic shirt in the club’s history is the hallowed number seven, which has belonged to the greatest players to ever grace the game, let alone the pitch at Old Trafford: Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and, most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo for a second time.
With that being said, the seven shirt isn’t just given to anyone and following a brilliant season marked with some big goals, assists and performances from the youngster, some supporters now feel he is not only primed to take up the responsibility but has even dropped a hint that his name’s already on it.
There’s a lot to take in here but you’re supposed to be looking at the number.
Sharing this admittedly bizarre image from his 19th birthday that poses more questions than it answers to his Instagram story, not only does Garnacho appear to have hired two dwarves dressed as Messi and Ronaldo to present him with his birthday cake, but it also has the number seven on it.
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While many have understandably been scratching their heads as to why this is why the teenager chose to celebrate his birthday — with many labelling it “tacky”, “strange”, “bizarre”, and even labelling him a “wrong’un” — others are simply obsessing over the choice of seven, specifically.
Now, while this could mean very little (it is, after all, the same number he uses on all his socials), he would clearly jump at the chance to take the number, having celebrated his as many million followers on Instagram with a very suggestive post.
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Moreover, other eagle-eyed fans have also spotted that his current shirt number is no longer available to buy on United’s online store purchasing the new home kit — but, again, this could be ahead of him being upgraded to another vacant number after becoming a more regular first-team player.
Garnacho’s current kit number is unavailable to buy. This looks like he’s getting the 7 👀 pic.twitter.com/wk7R9KLdLO
For a long time, some supporters felt the seven shirt had been ‘cursed’ ever since Ronaldo left for the first time back in 2009 (I mean, it didn’t go entirely smoothly when he took it back either), but many now believe they that Garnacho is not only hinting it might by his new number but that he’s ready for it.
Prior to CR7’s return, it was widely assumed that Jadon Sancho would be next to take up the shirt having worn the same number for Borussia Dortmund, but the promising Englishman was made to wait and is still yet to find any real rhythm at United.
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One thing is for sure, whoever does earn the shirt will have to rise to the occasion as history tells us you either have to have the personality and confidence to take on the challenge or they can quite quickly sink under the weight of it.
Whether Erik ten Hag thinks Alejandro Garnacho’s ambition and performances thus far warrant him becoming United’s new number seven remains to be seen.
Featured Image — Alejandro Garnacho (via Instagram)
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Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
Danny Jones -
4th July 2023 
