Manchester United confirm shirt number with Rasmus Højlund set to wear new number

Manchester United have confirmed that Rasmus Højlund will replace Anthony Martial as the club’s new holder of the No. 9 shirt.

The shirt on the back of Manchester United players is often an announcement that fans very much look forward to, with numbers such as 7, 9, and 11 some of the most iconic in the club’s history.

Some of United’s greatest-ever players, such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Cole, and Ryan Giggs, have helped create the legacy behind these numbers. But the new generation under Erik ten Hag is set to carve their own history with the same shirts.

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After taking the No. 11 shirt for 2023/24, Rasmus Højlund will become the club’s new No. 9 after Anthony Martial left following the expiry of his contract at the end of June. This is the number he recently donned for Denmark during the 2024 European Championships.

As such, it is likely that new forward Joshua Zirkzee will wear the No. 11 shirt—the same number he originally wore during his opening season at Bologna—which helps represent the player’s versatility across the front line.

Zirkzee recently said that he expected Hojlund to be assigned the No.9 shirt: “That depends a bit on Rasmus Højlund. He’s already there, and he’s also a striker.

“No.9 is free, but yes… he has 11, so I can imagine that he wants No.9 now. In that case, I’ll take 11. At Bologna, I also had 11, so that doesn’t really matter to me.”

Leny Yoro, who recently arrived from Lille, has taken the No. 15 top, which has been likened to centre-back Nemanja Vidic, who helped create the synergy between the centre-back position and the No. 15.

Mason Mount is expected to keep his No. 7 shirt, while Alejandro Garnacho will almost certainly continue with the No. 17.

Kobbie Mainoo currently occupies the No. 37 shirt, but due to his ever-increasing role in the team, he may be afforded a lower shirt for the coming season.

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