Manchester United’s teamsheet will have several new names this summer, and could also see new squad numbers handed out.
It is going to be a summer of change for Manchester United, with Ineos planning to rebuild the team from the ground up following a season which saw new lows reached.
Therefore, plenty of change is expected at Old Trafford, and this could also entail new squad numbers for a handful of players, with most seasons seeing at least one big-name change.
Last summer, United gave Hojlund the number nine, with his 11 going to Joshua Zirkzee. The change saw Hojlund regress from the promising striker he was in his opening season at the club.
The previous summer saw Alejandro Garnacho given the number 17 shirt after breaking into the first team with the number 49 on his back.
United’s shirt numbers could change once again this summer, and Kobbie Mainoo could find himself moving away from the number 37 he has worn for his two seasons as a senior player.
So here are three numbers we could see Mainoo taking.
Kobbie Mainoo with fist in the air for Manchester United.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Take Amad’s number 16
The first number, which could be an option for Mainoo, has a lot of moving parts. Amad may be in line for a new number at United, and if he is, then the 16 might be perfect for Mainoo.
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Previously worn by
Marcos Rojo
Michael Carrick
Roy Keane
The number 16 has been worn by some legendary midfielders at United, Roy Keane and Michael Carrick, so it would be fitting for Mainoo to take the number – at least until he earns a number like eight when Bruno Fernandes leaves in the future.
Take Christian Eriksen’s vacant number 14
One potential option for Mainoo is already free, with Christian Eriksen’s release by United leaving the number 14 shirt available for a new name this summer.
Previously worn by
Jesse Lingard
Javier Hernandez
Alan Smith
Jordi Cruyff
Andrei Kanchelskis
The number is vacant, and having been worn by Eriksen, it would be another number perfect for a young midfielder to step into for United, which Mainoo still is despite his rise to prominence.
Kobbie Mainoo could become number 19
Another option for Mainoo, which is already free, is the number 19 shirt, which has been worn by some top players over the years, yet remains vacant. However, 19 is Bryan Mbeumo’s likely favoured shirt number.
Previously worn by
Raphael Varane
Amad
Marcus Rashford
Danny Welbeck
Eric Djemba-Djemba
Dwight Yorke
Nicky Butt
Mainoo would be following particularly in Marcus Rashford’s footsteps if he took the 19, going from a high number to this, before getting a 1-11 slot after proving himself worthy.
There are several alternative options; however, one thing that is certain is that Mainoo deserves a number more reflective of his role, assuming he is not set on keeping the number 37.