Three shirt numbers Noussair Mazraoui could wear as Manchester United medical booked

Three shirt numbers that Noussair Mazraoui could wear as Manchester United book his medical, pending his transfer announcement.

Ahead of Manchester United‘s Community Shield clash against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, news broke that Erik ten Hag‘s side had secured deals with Bayern Munich for defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

The Dutch centre-back and Moroccan right-back are set to join United next week in a double transfer deal worth an initial £50 million, with each player having an additional £4.3 million in potential add-ons.

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Although United ultimately fell short in the Community Shield, losing on penalties, the team’s performance, combined with the impending transfer announcements, has given fans renewed optimism for the upcoming season.

As with any new signings, speculation is rife about the shirt numbers the players will wear. So far, the club has handed the iconic No. 11 to Joshua Zirkzee, while 18-year-old defensive prodigy Leny Yoro, who recently joined from Lille, has been given the No. 15 shirt.

While De Ligt is almost nailed on to become United’s new No. 4, with this being the shirt he has had with him for the last seven seasons of his career, Mazraoui’s jersey at his next club is a little less clear. Here, we break down three possible numbers the right-back could take this summer.

#40

The first one considered is an obvious choice. Although No. 40 may seem a little out of pocket at first, it seems to hold a place in the 26-year-old’s heart.

After wearing a plethora of numbers while in the Ajax academy, he wore the No. 40 during his debut season at the club. He then switched numbers for the following campaigns, but he retained the number for a further two seasons once he signed for Bayern Munich in 2022 before departing to Old Trafford.

Although the number was officially registered to youth goalkeeper Radek Vitek last campaign, should Mazraoui request the shirt, the club would likely grant this wish.

#3

A second number Mazraoui could take at United is the No. 3 shirt. Often synonymous with defenders, United have not had an occupier for the jersey since Eric Bailly departed in 2022.

Although he has yet to wear it in his club career, Mazraoui has worn No. 3 every season he has played with the Morocco national side, bar a period in the 19/20 season when he wore No. 14.

Marzaoui was also the owner of the No. 3 shirt for periods during his stints with the Ajax U18 and U21 squads.

#13

Mazraoui could also choose the No. 13 shirt. Although he has never worn it throughout his career, it is the only other number below the No. 25 shirt that is available at United.

It is also one number away from the No. 12 jersey, which he held for four seasons at Ajax between 2018 and 2022 prior to his Bayern Munich move.

While the No. 13 is the least likely of the three options, it may be offered to him if United plan to save the No. 3 for any further defensive signings – but this is unlikely.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the club are planning to make the De Ligt and Marazoui deal official on Monday and have booked the medical tests for both players. They will want them to join their new squad as soon as possible ahead of the Fulham fixture on Friday.

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