The only time for Manchester United players to change their squad number is before the start of the new season.
On Thursday morning, Manchester United launched their new home kit ready for the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
United’s new kit is now available to buy ahead of Ruben Amorim’s side jetting out on the 2025 pre-season tour of the United States.
Fans were quick to notice that Marcus Rashford’s No.10 shirt is still available despite Matheus Cunha being expected to inherit the number. As always, the squad numbers are subject to change and there is one player in particular who will be keen.
Manchester United's Diogo Dalot facing Liverpool.
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Diogo Dalot expected to change shirt number at Man United
When Dalot was signed for £19m in 2018, he took the No.20 shirt at United as it matched his age at the time while also taking inspiration from the likes of Robin van Persie and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, as per a United fan Q&A in 2022, Dalot revealed that he always wanted the No.2 shirt at United – the traditional number for a right full-back.
“My favourite is always the No. 2 which, at the time and now, it’s being worn by Victor. So it was not available at the time and it’s still not,” Dalot said in 2022.
Now that Victor Lindelof has left United as a free agent, the number is up for grabs again and Dalot will be first in line.
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Last summer, Rasmus Hojlund changed to United’s No.9 and Dalot will be eager to drop his number down into the first XI too.
While Dalot’s No.20 shirt is still available for fans to buy currently, it could be announced later down the line that a change has been made.
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With an overhaul of United’s squad expected this summer, it should free up plenty of desirable shirt numbers.
Alongside Dalot, the likes of Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo could also look to make a change.
Last summer, Mainoo sparked rumours of a number change after he was spotted not wearing his usual No.37.
To represent his importance as a first-team midfield option, Mainoo could look to lower his squad number. Christian Eriksen’s exit means the No.14 is available, while Michael Carrick’s old No.16 could be available if Diallo also makes a switch.
READ MORE: Manchester United squad numbers 2024/25, shirt number history
Diallo was a star for Amorim last season and it feels inevitable that he will be a regular starter in 2025/26.
Having already dropped from being United’s No.19 to No.16, he could target a new number but availability looks short without sales being completed.
Amad’s old No.19 will likely be worn by Bryan Mbeumo if United can agree a fee with Brentford for the forward.