Man United kit number change: Three things noticed on pre-season day one

Manchester United returned to Carrington for pre-season training on Monday, and a kit number change was one of several things noticed.

Erik ten Hag’s side are back in action next week and have begun their preparations for the 2024/25 campaign.

United had their non-international players return to their training ground and UtdDistrict have highlighted three things that we noticed throughout the day.

Kambwala kit number change

Willy Kambwala was one of five players we expected to be provided with a new kit number after his breakthrough season in the first team last term.

The French defender wore the no.53 last season, but in the latest training images, he is pictured sporting the no.32 – a number that hasn’t been worn since goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in 2016/17.

The no.32 has also been worn by the likes of Carlos Tevez and Victor Valdez.

Loanees return

Multiple players who spent the last season on loan also reported for duty at Carrington on Monday.

Hannibal Mejbri, Will Fish and Radek Vitek were among the young stars to test themselves away from the club to varying degrees of success.

They will all be hoping to prove a point to Ten Hag and his new staff over the coming weeks.

Mount and Onana’s first full pre-season

Mason Mount and André Onana both signed for United midway through the pre-season tour last summer but will be each getting a full pre-season under their belt at United now.

They each had difficulties at Old Trafford during their debut campaigns – particularly Mount, who suffered with injuries – and will be hoping for much improved personal campaigns in 2024/25.

The other signings last summer included Rasmus Højlund, Jonny Evans and Sofyan Amrabat. Only Højlund is currently contracted, and he’s entitled to three weeks of holiday after competing at Euro 2024.

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