Eight Manchester United Players Set for Squad Number Upgrades in the Upcoming Season
Following a successful and inspiring season, Manchester United can approach the upcoming summer with optimism, although they acknowledge the substantial task ahead.Â
Over the course of 12 months, Erik ten Hag has made significant progress with the disorganized and undisciplined team he inherited at United. However, they still have a considerable distance to cover in order to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League championship.
It is imperative to make significant improvements during the summer transfer window in an attempt to narrow the gap between the two teams.
The primary areas of focus for Manchester United in the upcoming transfer window are securing a midfielder and a striker. However, there are also plans to address the positions of centre-back, goalkeeper, defensive midfielder, and full-back. It is not only about new signings, as players deemed inadequate by the manager will also need to be offloaded.
With potential departures on the horizon, there is the possibility of numerous squad numbers becoming available. Here are eight current players who might be in contention for an improved jersey number this summer.
Casemiro:
When Casemiro joined United last year towards the end of the transfer window, there weren’t many number options available. He chose to wear No.18 and performed exceptionally well, making a significant impact on the team’s success. While his preferred No.14, which he wore at Real Madrid, is already taken by Christian Eriksen, he might decide to stick with his current number. However, there is a possibility for him to change to a different number, such as No.5 if Harry Maguire leaves the club, which Casemiro has been wearing for the Brazilian national team since 2015.
Raphael Varane:
Raphael Varane is likely to be one of the players considering a new number this summer. As a dominant center-back, he has been wearing No.19 during his first two seasons at United. However, with several numbers typically associated with center-backs potentially becoming available, Varane might be interested in changing his number. The No.4, currently worn by Phil Jones but confirmed to be available as he departs, is one option. Additionally, numbers like No.2 and No.5, which Varane had during his time at Madrid and No.4 for France before his retirement, could also be potential choices.
Diogo Dalot:
Despite facing competition from Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a spot in the team, Dalot had a strong season under Ten Hag and improved his game significantly. Since his arrival in 2018, he has been wearing No.20, but with his recent contract extension until 2028, he may be eligible for a new number. Dalot has previously worn No.2, No.3, and No.5 for his previous clubs and national teams, and any of these numbers could be available for him to choose from.
Antony, Sancho, Garnacho:
With Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, the prestigious No.7 jersey has become vacant, and three players are contenders for it. Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho are all in the running to inherit the number. Garnacho, who had a breakthrough season wearing No.49, could be a popular choice, but it might also be considered a lot of pressure for a young player. Antony has previously worn No.7 for Sao Paulo and the Brazilian youth teams, but he typically opts for No.11 as a left-footer and currently wears No.21. Sancho impressed while wearing No.7 in the Bundesliga but hasn’t yet earned the right to wear the number at Old Trafford.
Kobbie Mainoo:
Kobbie Mainoo, a young and promising midfielder, recently made his debut under Ten Hag and showed promise in his three senior appearances. As a result, he is likely to see his current No.73 significantly reduced as he progresses closer to the first team.
Alvaro Fernandez:
Alvaro Fernandez, who had a successful loan spell at Preston in the Championship, winning the Young Player of the Year award, is currently assigned the No.74. He will have an opportunity to impress during pre-season, and a decision will be made whether he will be sent out on loan again. If he performs well, he could potentially receive a number upgrade for the upcoming tour.
Eight Manchester United Players Set for Squad Number Upgrades in the Upcoming Season
