Erik ten Hag has easy Alejandro Garnacho decision to make as fan concerns loom

The Manchester Evening News report that United are considering making Garnacho their new No 7 next term.

And the Argentina international’s brother, Roberto Garnacho, sparked speculation by posting an edit on Twitter showing him wearing the number on the back of his United shirt.

Ten Hag is expected to give Garnacho a more prominent role in the 2023/24 campaign after an impressive breakout season produced five goals and five assists.

But there is little reason to apply unnecessary pressure onto the starlet before he has really got going in the first team.

Does Garnacho have the world at his feet? Yes. He has the makings of a player worth placing faith in, like Ronaldo in 2003, and the character to match.

But a number donned by David Beckham, Eric Cantona and George Best, among other United greats, should be earned.

Handing Garnacho the No 7 after just one full season in Ten Hag’s senior squad, matched with an upgraded five-year contract, is a risk.

Ask Adnan Januzaj. The Belgian winger burst onto the scene like Garnacho under David Moyes, but stories from Carrington suggest his head got a little too big for his own good.

Inheriting the No 11 shirt, which carries just as much importance as the No 7 at Old Trafford, undoubtedly contributed to his trajectory plummetting.