Manchester United have confirmed that Mason Mount is the new owner of the club's iconic number 7 shirt, after the England midfielder's transfer from Chelsea was completed.
Mount has officially joined the Red Devils on a deal that runs until June 2028, for a reported fee of £55 million, and the club have wasted no time in establishing their faith in their new star by handing him the famous jersey.
The latest occupant of the shirt takes over from Cristiano Ronaldo, who wore it during his two spells at Old Trafford, the latest of which came to an acrimonious end last November.
Between Ronaldo's two stints in the shirt, it was worn with little success by Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and Alexis Sanchez.
It wasn't until Edinson Cavani arrived in 2020 that the historic nature of the shirt was done some sort of justice post-Ronaldo's first spell, although even the Uruguayan provided a limited number of memorable moments while wearing it.
It's time to write a new chapter.
#️⃣7️⃣ Mount 🔴#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 5, 2023
Mason Mount takes on Man United number 7 shirt
It is now down to Mount to prove that he can follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo, Beckham, Cantona et al, but according to the Twitter reaction to the news, Alejandro Garnacho was more deserving of the number 7.
Garnacho burst onto the Old Trafford scene last season, scoring five goals and providing the same number of assists, while showcasing the kind of swagger that Man United fans love to see in their number 7's.
Several supporters have said that United's decision to give the jersey to Mount is a mistake, while the Manchester Evening News have reported that the young Argentine was under consideration for the shirt.
Mason Mount is United’s new No.7. Garnacho was under consideration for it but it’s gone to Mount #mufc pic.twitter.com/WEpPoi0jlN
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) July 5, 2023
Manchester United made a mistake not giving the number 7 to Garnacho.
He deserved it the most pic.twitter.com/kFBYHXEr6K
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) July 5, 2023
I’m absolutely gutted for Garnacho. He should’ve taken the #7 shirt
— 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 🇶🇦 (@UtdEra_) July 5, 2023
Garnacho reacts to number 7 snub
Still, it appears that the 19-year-old isn't too fussed, as he liked the club's Instagram post announcing Mount's new number.
As well, as that United manager Erik ten Hag has already shown his faith in Garnacho, by getting him to sign a contract extension until 2028 earlier this year.
Both Mount and Garnacho are likely to feature heavily in Ten Hag's line-up this season, as the Red Devils look to improve on last season's third-place Premier League finish, while making progress in the Champions League.
