MAN UTD FANS SPOT ALEJANDRO GARNACHO WEARING NEW NUMBER AFTER BEING TOLD TO "CHANGE"
Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho appears to have abandoned his Cristiano Ronaldo gesture after being spotted with a new number.
The Argentine forward took part in the Red Devils’ promotion for their new kit ahead of the 2024/25 season. But fans spotted that there was a slight difference.
Instead of Garnacho’s usual number 17 - that he chose in order to emulate Ronaldo’s first number with Sporting Lisbon - he instead had number 6 on his shorts. That digit is of course already occupied at Old Trafford.
Garnacho’s Argentina colleague Lisandro Martinez has owned the number since his arrival from Ajax. And it appears unlikely that the pair have swapped ahead of next season.
Garnacho, 20, only announced that he was the new owner of the 17 last summer. He previously donned 49 after breaking into the first team.
But he opted for a change after Fred’s exit in the summer of 2023. Garnacho is also wearing 17 for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America, where he has faced ridicule for his dedication to Ronaldo.
Midfielder Leandro Paredes revealed: "We joked about it with him. He is very shy and does not answer. Poor guy, we drove him crazy. We also talked to him about what the group is, somehow we try to make them feel part of it and feel comfortable.
"Although in this case he got very nervous and couldn't talk. But as he said, I think he [Ronaldo] is his idol, he always followed him a lot and he plays quite similar. So it's normal, nothing happens. Obviously, when he comes to the national team he has to change a little bit."
How many goals will Garnacho score next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Regardless of his squad number, Garnacho will certainly hope to improve next season. He scored six goals and notched five assists during the 22/23 campaign. The young forward increased those numbers last term. He scored ten and provided five assists in all competitions.
There was doubt over whether he would be available for the opening weeks of next season. After Garnacho’s participation in the Copa America, he looked set for a place in the Argentina squad for this summer’s upcoming Olympics in Paris.
But Man United are expected to refuse Garnacho’s call-up. The striker held private talks with Erik ten Hag to convince him to let him leave but he appears unlikely to link up with Javier Mascherano’s side.
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2024-07-02T18:40:30Z dg43tfdfdgfd