The 2023/24 season has already begun, but Alejandro Garnacho has been reassigned a new Manchester United shirt number following the end of the summer transfer window.
United confirmed shirt numbers for several new arrivals two days after the deadline, announcing that Rasmus Hojlund will take the newly vacated 11, with Sergio Reguilon getting 15, Altay Bayindir taking the number one last worn by David de Gea and Jonny Evans unveiled as 35.
Sofyan Amrabat's wait goes on, although the Moroccan is likely to take 34 if Donny van de Beek leaves before the Turkish transfer deadline later in September. Alternatively, Amrabat will take the number four that he achieved incredible things in for his country at the 2022 World Cup.
Among the new numbers was a change for Garnacho. The 19-year-old had been tipped early in the summer to get the iconic seven shirt, although that ended up in Mason Mount's possession instead. Even though the season started in mid-August, the Premier League deadline for final submissions isn't until after the transfer window has closed, meaning changes at that stage are possible.
Squad number | Years in the shirt |
---|---|
75 | 2021 - 2022 |
49 | 2022 - 2023 |
17 | 2023 - present |
Garnacho first rose to prominence as a member of United's first FA Youth Cup-winning side in 11 years when they lifted the trophy in 2022. By the time that he had scored twice in the final of the competition, a 17-year-old Garnacho had already made his first-team debut wearing 75.
The Argentine traded down to 49 in the summer of 2022, hinting at a greater role in the season to come, but few probably predicted he would go on to make 34 appearances in all competitions and have arguably a greater impact than Jadon Sancho and Antony.
Now, with Fred's summer departure to Fenerbahce and Rasmus Hojlund, who had worn that shirt for former club Atalanta, taking 11 instead, 2023/34 means the 17 shirt now belongs to Garnacho.
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Player | Years in the shirt |
---|---|
Colin McKee | 1993 - 1994 |
Andrew Cole | 1995 - 1996 |
Raimond van der Gouw | 1996 - 2002 |
Michael Stewart | 2002 - 2003 |
Liam Miller | 2004 - 2006 |
Henrik Larsson | 2007 |
Nani | 2007 - 2014 |
Daley Blind | 2014 - 2018 |
Fred | 2018 - 2023 |
Alejandro Garnacho | 2023 - present |
A number of top players have worn 17 in the Premier League since fixed squad numbers were first introduced in 1993. The very first is probably one that few fans will remember: Colin McKee, who was part of the Class of '92 but made only one first-team appearance before being sold to Kilmarnock.
Andrew Cole was next following his £7m British transfer record arrival from Newcastle. Most of his achievements at United came with the number nine on his back, although he did become the first Premier League player to score five goals in a game in 17 during a famous 9-0 win over Ipswich.
Longstanding back-up goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw wore 17 for several years, followed by shorter stints for Michael Stewart, the late Liam Miller and a brief but successful loan spell in early 2007 for cult hero Henrik Larsson. Nani then came along and won four Premier League titles and the Champions League wearing 17, enjoying his best individual season in 2010/11.
More recently, Daley Blind and Fred occupied 17 with varying levels of success.
LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN's MAN UTD PODCAST: THE PROMISED LAND
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss discuss Man Utd's summer transfer business, including the signings of Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day.
If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!