Manchester United have begun pre-season preparations by announcing new squad numbers for several players.
The new season will soon be upon us as Manchester United attempt to turn things around after an abysmal 2024/25 campaign.
Ruben Amorim endured a difficult first six months at Old Trafford, losing the Europa League final and finishing 15th in the Premier League. There is a belief that results will improve, but that will depend on whether the Red Devils strengthen during the transfer window.
There have already been a few changes as Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves and Diego Leon finally arrived from Cerro Porteno, despite agreeing a deal with the club in January.
On top of that, several United players have been given new squad numbers.
Diogo Dalot warming up for Manchester United
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Diogo Dalot gets no.2 shirt at Man Utd
Three United academy wonderkids were given shirt numbers, while Cunha took the no.10 from Marcus Rashford.
There has always been another change following Victor Lindelof’s exit.
The Swede wore the no.2 shirt at United, but United have confirmed that Diogo Dalot will wear that shirt number next season.
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Dalot returned to Carrington for pre-season and training on Thursday, after winning the Nations League with Portugal last month.
Since joining United from FC Porto, Dalot has worn the no. 20 shirt, but he will now wear the traditional shirt for right-backs.
Dalot follows in the footsteps of former club captain Gary Neville, who wore the no.2 shirt between 1994 and 2011 when he retired as a footballer.
The no.2 shirt has also been worn by Wes Brown and Rafael Da Silva in the past.
Jose Mourinho’s accurate Dalot prediction
Shortly after joining United, Dalot was praised by manager Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho stated that Dalot could replicate Neville’s achievements at United by securing the right-back spot for the next decade.
Speaking to MUTV in December 2018 following a win over Fulham, former United manager Mourinho told MUTV: “Everybody knows that he has fantastic potential.
“I don’t want to compare, especially not the number of titles but he is probably the same age as Gary Neville when he came into the first team.
“Probably he can follow Neville in this dynamic of more than 10 years as United’s right-back, with amazing conditions to improve, because as I was saying he’s 19 years old.”