It will be a summer of change at Man United, which could see a few players change shirt numbers.
Some Manchester United players could be given new shirt numbers next season
Some Manchester United players could be given new shirt numbers next season
After a promising and sublime season, Manchester United may look positive into the summer ahead, but know there's still a lot of work to be done.
Erik ten Hag has come a long way with the inconsistent and unruly crowd he inherited at United in 12 months, but they are still a long way from Manchester City to compete for the Premier League title. Significant improvements are needed in the summer transfer window to try to close the gap.
A midfielder and forward are the main priorities, but a centre-back, goalkeeper, defensive midfielder and full-back are also on the agenda. But it can't be everyone who comes in, because those the manager deems not enough will also have to move out.
With multiple departures likely, multiple squad numbers could be drawn soon and here are eight current players who could be lining up to upgrade from their current shirt this summer.
Casemiro
The number is very small when Casemiro arrived late in the transfer window last year. So he chose the number 18 and wore it brilliantly as he continued to change United's fortunes with a string of stellar performances. With the number 14 shirt Casemiro wore at Real Madrid taken by Christian Eriksen, he could choose to keep his current number, but there may be an option for him to change.
Harry Maguire is ready for a transfer in the summer and speculation is growing that Tottenham are interested in the centre-back. If the captain leaves, the number 5 will be available. Casemiro has been wearing Brazil's number since 2015 and would love to wear it at Old Trafford.
Raphael Varane
Out of all the players who could get a new shirt number this summer, Raphaël Varane tops the list. The huge centre-back wore the number 19 shirt during his first two seasons for United, but with some additional shirts alongside a potential centre-back, he could be looking for a change.
Phil Jones' No 4 will definitely be available as it has been confirmed he will leave at the end of his contract, while Maguire (5), Eric Bailly (3) and Victor Lindelof (2) could be sold. Varane wore the number 4 shirt for France until his retirement after the World Cup and had both number 2 and number 5 during his years in Madrid.
Diogo Dalot
Although he had a fiercer fight for his place in the team towards the end of the season due to the improvement of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Dalot had a great season under Ten Hag and he also significantly improve his gameplay. 20 since arriving in 2018 and after securing his future until 2028 with a new contract, he could fit in a new number.
Dalot has worn the number 2, 3 and 5 jerseys for his previous clubs and national teams and anything he can use at his disposal.
Anthony, Sancho, Garnacho
The sudden departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in December means that the famous number 7 shirt is vacant and there are 3 players competing for it. Although this number has lost its distinction since the days of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham after 14 years of fallow, it is still an iconic number to turn around.
Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho are all about to receive shirts.
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