Alejandro Garnacho makes Man United statement after Chelsea kit number reveal

Alejandro Garnacho makes Man United statement after Chelsea kit number reveal

Alejandro Garnacho completed his long awaited move from Manchester United to Chelsea, last week ahead of transfer deadline day.

Garnacho moved to Chelsea for a fee reported to be around £40 million, signing a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Argentine winger burst onto the scene at Manchester United, where he came through the academy after moving from Atletico Madrid’s setup.

Garnacho will now don the blue of Chelsea after falling out of favour with United boss Ruben Amorim and being placed as a member of the Portuguese’s ‘bomb squad’.

Credit: Imago

Alejandro Garnacho reveals shirt number

The 21-year-old has bolstered Enzo Maresca’s attacking options following injuries to Liam Delap and Cole Palmer, with Nicolas Jackson also leaving to join Bayern Munich.

It was revealed on Wednesday evening (September 3) that Garnacho would wear the number 49, which was also his first squad number at United.

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The former United star had worn number 17 last season but that is currently taken by Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos at Stamford bridge.

Having burst onto the scene at Old Trafford while wearing the number 49 jersey, Garnacho will be desperate to make a similar swift impact in west London.

Garnacho will be hoping to hit the ground running at Chelsea after the international break when Maresca’s side travel to Brentford, before the travelling to Garnacho’s old stomping ground to take on United on Saturday, September 20th.

Credit: Imago

After Alejandro Garnacho’s exit, Kobbie Mainoo has to stay

Football Insider verdict

Garnacho was a key player in some of United’s best moments over the last two seasons, scoring in their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in 2023.

The other goal scorer in that game was Kobbie Mainoo, another Carrington graduate who had been touted for a move away this summer as well.

Mainoo is liked by Amorim, but the Portuguese coach did admit that he was behind captain Bruno Fernandes in the squad pecking order meaning minutes are limited.

Season Matches played 2022/23 3 2023/24 32 2024/25 37 2025/26 2 Kobbie Mainoo’s Manchester United career starts so far

For fans Mainoo embodies the club’s “youth, courage, success” mantra, and losing teh 20-year-old would be like abandoning the club’s principles.

While a move away was on the cards, it appears Amorim wants to keep Mainoo, and the young midfielder will now have to stay and fight for his place in the squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

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