Rasmus Hojlund could be among five Manchester United 2024/25 shirt number changes

Manchester United have finished the 2023/24 campaign and so the full focus is now on preparing for next season.

United supporters will be fixated on the upcoming transfer window to assess the impact of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team.

Another aspect that fans are always keen to keep an eye out for is the possible shirt number changes within a squad.

Often, young players are awarded new shirt numbers to recognise their growing status within the squad, while sometimes, a departing player leaves a number open for another to snap it up.

Ahead of those decisions, UtdDistrict has detailed five of the more likely shirt number changes that could happen at Old Trafford next season.

Rasmus Højlund

Rasmus Højlund had a successful debut campaign at United, scoring 16 goals and registering two assists despite difficulties up front.

The 21-year-old striker received the no.11 shirt when he joined the club from Atalanta, and will likely be eyeing the vacant no.9 shirt following Anthony Martial’s departure from the club.

Hojlund wore the no.9 whilst at SK Sturm Graz and it seems unlikely that United end up signing a high-profile striker that would demand the shirt.

This is perhaps the change that makes the most sense, and it would not be the first time that a United goalscorer changed from one iconic number to another.

Wayne Rooney started his career at Old Trafford with the no.8 shirt before eventually changing to the no.10 in 2007.

Kobbie Mainoo

As mentioned in the opening section, young players are often awarded with more prominent squad numbers as their careers progress.

Kobbie Mainoo had a tremendous campaign in the United first-team last term, ending the season with a winning goal in the FA Cup final.

He changed to the no.37 at the start of the 2023/24 campaign after deputising with the no.73 in the prior season.

Now, with Casemiro looking likely to depart, it seems fitting for Mainoo to receive Paul Scholes’ prior shirt number.

Also previously worn by Bruno Fernandes and Ashley Young, the no.18 would be another small indicator of Mainoo’s growing status at United.

Willy Kambwala

Willy Kambwala has been another young star to have emerged in the first-team last season. He was a mainstay in the squad in the second half of the campaign and made a positive impression when called upon.

Currently with no.53, the French defender will likely be awarded another squad number, especially if United are planning to keep him around next season rather than sending him on a loan.

Harry Amass

Harry Amass might not have made his first-team debut for United last season but his role within the squad has certainly improved.

The 17-year-old left-back became a regular part of Ten Hag’s squad in training and in matchday squads.

It is expected that he plays a part in the team next season and so it would be no surprise to see him receive an upgrade on his current no.70 shirt.

Of course, while the no.3 is available due to Luke Shaw’s preference for the no.23, it wouldn’t make any sense to gift that shirt number to Amass so early.

Instead, the no.33 could be good for the teenager. Brandon Williams wore the short number previously but has been on loan and is likely to depart with his contract expiring this summer.

Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho has quickly become one of United’s most important players after a terrific 2023/24 campaign.

The young talent was touted to receive the iconic no.7 shirt last summer but instead changed to the no.17, while new signing Mason Mount was given the shirt number previously worn by legends such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona.

If Mount decided to gift the no.7 shirt to Garnacho, he would receive it with open arms. The England international would not be the first player to give up the number, with Antonio Valencia doing the same.

However, it seems more likely that the no.11 will become available for Garnacho to take, with Højlund moving to the no.9.