Alejandro Garnacho is doing what even Cristiano Ronaldo did not do at Manchester United

The longest run of starts Cristiano Ronaldo had as a 19-year-old at Manchester United was eight and the eighth came on his 20th birthday. Alejandro Garnacho has started in United's last 13 matches.

Garnacho lined up in consecutive games only once last season and he does not turn 20 until July. He was dropped from the Argentina squad on account of his form and laruped in an overhead kick on his next outing at Goodison Park.

He opted for Ronaldo's signature 'Siiiu' celebration and the parallels are growing between the two United-bred wingers. Garnacho conducted his on-pitch interview after the comeback against Aston Villa to the sound of 'Viva Garnacho', first aired at Old Trafford on an uplifting night he scored twice in the FA Youth Cup final at the age of 17.

Ronaldo once handed a 17-year-old Garnacho his hat-trick ball and Garnacho's Twitter profile used to be adorned by a cover photo of him embracing Ronaldo. From ball boy to baller.

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Back in August, almost every request at the shirt-printing hub in the Meagstore was for 'Mount 7'. More on account of the number than the name. The queues would have been longer had 'Garnacho' hovered above the '7'.

It was sensible management by Erik ten Hag to deny Garnacho that privilege. Too much too young. The number has had the hex over anyone who has received it in the last 14 years, bar the returning Ronaldo in his first season.

Maybe 17 is the new 7. A number first donned by Colin McKee nearly 30 years ago and Andy Cole in his first 18 months at United has never been more en vogue with Garnacho strutting his stuff.

Garnacho switched to the right, Ronaldo's old