Man Utd U-turn on Jadon Sancho promise

Stuart Telford

• 24 Jun 2023 12:55 BST
• 3 min read

Jadon Sancho was promised Manchester United's fabled No.7 jersey as far back as 2020 when the Red Devils first courted the winger, but it is set to pass him by once again with Alejandro Garnacho in line to inherit the number.

From George Best and Eric Cantona through to David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, some of United's greatest ever players have donned the No.7 at Old Trafford, and Sancho was first promised the number by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when still a Borussia Dortmund player in 2020.

However, their pursuit of the England man fell through that summer, and by the time he joined for €85 million in July 2021, Edinson Cavani was in possession of the shirt and unwilling to give it up - although he did make way when Ronaldo returned for a second United stay later that summer.

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Although the number has been sitting vacant since Ronaldo left for Al-Nassr last winter, it could now go to Garnacho instead of Sancho, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Garnacho, Man Utd's new No.7?

"Manchester United are considering making Alejandro Garnacho their new number seven as his stratospheric rise continues," writes Samuel Luckhurst. "Garnacho would become the first teenage recipient of the No.7 since Ronaldo in 2003."

It is testament to the regard both wingers - Garnacho and Sancho - are now held in at Old Trafford that the decision looks like going the young Argentine's way.

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While Garnacho is considered a future star in Manchester having burst onto the scene with three goals and two Premier League assists last season and a goal-involvement of one every 112 minutes he played, Sancho was subbed off 17 times, as his struggles to live up to his price tag continued.

With Antony also in his way, and Amad Diallo set to be given a chance to prove himself in pre-season after impressing on loan with Sunderland, Sancho's days at United could be numbered, with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa the latest clubs to be linked with a move for him.