Five Manchester United shirt number changes for 2023/24 revealed

Manchester United have now returned to pre-season training ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and multiple players are wearing new shirt numbers

The Reds took to the Carrington pitches for the first time since the end of last season on Thursday afternoon to prepare for the upcoming campaign.

With eight pre-season fixtures scheduled, United have a busy upcoming month and will have plenty of young players eager to impress Erik ten Hag before the opening Premier League encounter against Wolves on 14 August.

As always at the beginning of pre-season, we can take hints from who might be offered increased chances in the first-team through the changing of squad numbers.

Of course, the most noticed shirt number change in the one that new signing Mason Mount has taken over, as he becomes the latest player to don the illustrious no.7 shirt. However, there have also been four more shirt changes within the youth players around the squad.

Kobbie Mainoo: #73 to #37

Kobbie Mainoo’s shirt number change, as seen in the latest training images, has attracted the second-most interest to Mount’s no.7 takeover.

The talented 17-year-old midfielder was involved within the squad for the most part of last season before suffering injury late in the campaign. He is highly regarded at the club and by Ten Hag.

A fresh no.37 – a number previously worn by former teammate James Garner before he moved onto pastures new at Everton, as well as current MUTV pundit Danny Webber – compared to his prior no.73 suggests that Mainoo could have an increased role at Old Trafford this season.

Alvaro Fernandez: #74 to #42

Alvaro Fernandez spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan in the Championship with Preston North End. The left-back impressed and recent reports have suggested that he could remain at Old Trafford next season.

That suggestion could explain the defender earning a shirt number change from #74 to #42, a number previously worn by Paul Pogba and Kieran Richardson.

However, United do currently have both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia at the club which could limit chances for the Spanish youngster. If a good loan move comes calling then he could spend another year away from the club but his new shirt represents his improving status at the club.

Isak Hansen-Aaoren: #68 to #59

Isak Hansen-Aaoren joined United in the summer of 2020 alongside the likes of Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho and Charlie McNeill. The Norwegian is a top talent and will head on United’s pre-season tour rather than compete in the U19 Euros with his country.

Ten Hag will be set to assess the teenager and after two seasons of consistent PL2 minutes, it could either be time for a loan or further integration at Old Trafford.

Unlike the former two, Isak’s new shirt in not below the #50 mark – however, he is certainly highly regarded at the club and could have an exciting future in the game.

Marc Jurado: #63 to #54

Another Spaniard who joined the club three years ago, Marc Jurado has vastly improved his game since arriving at Old Trafford from Barcelona.

Building his trade in the Under-21s, the right-back is a talented option to keep an eye on for Ten Hag. He appeared on the bench away at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last term.

Similarly to his counterpart Fernandez, there is not a simple route into the first-team for Jurado, who would have to compete with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.

Nevertheless, his new no.54 is representative of his improved play as he becomes a leading figure in the Under-21s team.