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Eight Manchester United players who could get squad number upgrades next season
After a promising and uplifting season, Manchester United can look positively towards the coming summer but know there is a big job at hand.
Erik ten Hag has brought the incoherent and indisciplined rabble he inherited at United a long way in 12 months but they remain even further away from competing with Manchester City for the Premier League title. Significant improvements are needed in the summer transfer window to try and close the gap.
A midfielder and striker are the top priorities but a centre-back, goalkeeper, defensive midfielder and full-back are all on the agenda as well. But it can’t just be all arrivals as those the manager has deemed not good enough will have to be moved on too.
With several departures possible, a lot of squad numbers could soon be up for grabs and here are eight current players who could be in line for an upgrade on their current jersey this summer.
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Casemiro
Numbers were slim pickings when Casemiro arrived late on in the transfer window last year so he selected No.18 and wore it with distinction as he went on to transform United’s fortunes with a string of superb performances. With the No.14 Casemiro wore at Real Madrid taken by Christian Eriksen, he may well choose to stick with his current number but there could be an option for him to change.
Harry Maguire has been made available for transfer this summer and there is growing speculation Tottenham are interested in the centre-back. Should the captain depart then the No.5 will become available. Casemiro has been wearing the number for Brazil since 2015 and might fancy donning it at Old Trafford.
Raphael Varane
Of all the players who could get a new number this summer, Raphael Varane is at the top of the list. The colossal centre-back has worn No.19 during his first two seasons for United but with several numbers more associated with a centre-back potentially opening up he might look to change.
Phil Jones’ No.4 will certainly be available as it has been confirmed he is departing when his contract expires, while any of Maguire (5), Eric Bailly (3) and Victor Lindelof (2) could be sold. Varane wore No.4 for France until his retirement after the World Cup and had both No.2 and No.5 during his years at Madrid.
Diogo Dalot
Though he had a fiercer fight for his spot in the team towards the end of the season due to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s improvement, Dalot enjoyed a fine season under Ten Hag and also kicked on his game considerably. The Portuguese has worn the No.20 since his arrival in 2018 and after securing his future until 2028 with a new contract he might be in line for a new number.
Dalot has worn No.2, No.3 and No.5 for his previous clubs and national sides and all could be available to him.
Antony, Sancho, Garnacho
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden departure in December meant the famous No.7 become vacant and there are three contenders vying for it. Though the number has lost some distinction since the days of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham after a fallow 14 years, it’s still an iconic number to be handed.
Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho are all within a shout of being handed the jersey. Garnacho may be the popular choice after his breakthrough campaign sporting No.49 but it could also be viewed as a lot of pressure to put on young shoulders. Antony did wear No.7 for a season at Sao Paulo and in the Brazilian youth teams but as a left-footer has tended to opt for No.11 and currently has No.21. Sancho dazzled the Bundesliga wearing No.7 but his performances at Old Trafford haven’t earned him the shirt.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo is the latest youngster on the verge of breaking into the first team after being handed his debut by Ten Hag and we may have seen more of him in the season’s run-in had he not picked up an injury. The exciting, all-action midfielder finished the campaign with three senior appearances and is sure to have impressed enough to see his number drastically lower from his current No.73.
Alvaro Fernandez
The one above him on No.74 is Alvaro Fernandez, who enjoyed an excellent season on loan at Championship side Preston, winning their Young Player of the Year award. The promising full-back will be given a chance to impress in pre-season before it’s decided if he will head out on loan once more. He could well be given an upgrade for the upcoming tour.
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