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)
Sport
Football fans rage over the cost of the new England kits for 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
It’s that time again: lots of Three Lions fans have been left furious over the cost of new England kits, and having seen the latest price, we’re not surprised.
No, seriously, the world of football fashion is getting seriously out of control…
With the squads for this month’s national team camp having just dropped, March has also seen the release of the new England home and away shirts – both of which are pretty nice, if you ask us.
In case you haven’t seen it already, here’s an extended look at the reveal video, which debuted the new white and red strips ahead of the 2026 World Cup over in the USA:
You can find the full England kit range and all the prices right HERE.
All that being said, something we don’t like the look of is the price tag, and we’re far from the only ones – a good chunk of social media is up in arms about it.
While one person said, “Baffling anyone paying those prices”, and another quipped, “Then treat yourself to a World Cup ticket for three grand” – match prices having also been raised as a concern – the general consensus seems to be ‘game’s gone’, to use a seemingly timeless phrase.
Another sarcastically wrote, “I have no idea why the counterfeit shirt economy is booming when you can get an original [at] such a good price.”
For example, it didn’t take long for someone to share their most recent and more affordable overseas order along with the caption: “Surely no one is genuinely paying £90 for that when you can get it just as good on DHGate for £10.”
While fake footy shirts are a growing obstacle for manufacturers and suppliers all over the world, for an increasing amount of the general public, it’s now becoming genuinely the only viable way they can justify spending money on the latest kits.
Its a nice kit. But I def do not have £155 lying about.
For context, the above post is an example of the authentic player version worn in matches, which features Nike’s breathable AERO-Fit fabric.
However, even just the standard adult replica version is currently retailing at nearly £90; juniors ‘Stadium’ shirts are priced at £64.99, a full kids ‘Mini’ kit is nearly £50, and even a pair of shorts will set you back either £44.99 or £32.99, depending on whether you’re a kid of grown-up.
When you take into account the countless parents hoping to put a smile on their little one’s face by getting their favourite player’s name on the back of the new England jersey in time for the World Cup, it’s no wonder the Classic Football Shirts and hand-me-down vintage kits culture is so strong.
Featured Images — England/The FA/Sky One (screenshot)
Sport
Jadon Sancho looks set to leave Manchester United for good – and he could be heading back ‘home’
Danny Jones
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho looks all set to leave the club permanently this summer, and as per the latest reports, his next destination could be back at one of his previous ones: Borussia Dortmund.
Having become somewhat of a forgotten man after being loaned out to three different places since being effectively exiled from the first team under Erik ten Hag’s tenure, Jadon Sancho’s career hasn’t exactly progressed as many thought it would.
Enjoying loan spells not only back at Dortmund for the latter half of the 2023/24 season and even playing in a Champions League final, before then being loaned to Chelsea – winning the UEFA Conference League trophy – and then spending this campaign with Aston Villa, he’s been all over, even at 25.
Given his Southern roots prior to eventually coming through Man City’s youth academy, it was thought that he might stay down in London at one point; however, it now seems increasingly possible that he could return to Germany, where his breakthrough began.
Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing Jadon Sancho.
Sancho, who is currently on-loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, will be out of contract in June, having moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund for €85million (£73m; $97.9m at current rates) in July 2021.… pic.twitter.com/TKjirKUW2W
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2026
While Man United do technically have the option to extend his stay, and the England international hasn’t experienced life under Michael Carrick, the feeling is that it is unlikely this will be the outcome.
It seems especially improbable given that it still remains to be seen who the permanent manager at the Theatre of Dream will be, as there is no guarantee he would form part of their plans moving forward.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has since corroborated the already ‘tier one’ outlet, clarifying that the decision for Sancho to leave United was made “months ago” and adding that the Bundesliga side is “keen” if all the personal terms can be ironed out.
Despite not having played for the red half of Manchester since 16 August 2023, there are some among the fan base who would like to see a universe where he gets a second chance at Old Trafford – then again, there are also plenty in the Midlands who would like to see him stay in Birmingham, too.
Steadily regaining some form, he also grabbed a key assist in the Villains’ recent 2-0 win over West Ham.
As always with marquee signings, even if things haven’t quite worked out, part of the obstacle will obviously be finding a suitor willing to pay his wages and/or the talent’s willingness to maybe take a pay cut, with Sancho said to be on one of the highest salaries not just at MUFC but in the English top flight.
Either way, he is currently due to leave as a free agent this coming summer transfer window, and the chances are he won’t staying on their books much longer.
Meanwhile, in transfer news in and around Greater Manchester, one fellow Premier League star has not only been heavily linked with a move to swap one United for another, but apparently he’s been ‘personally recommended’ as a potential successor by one current player.
Danny Jones -
4th July 2023 
