Diego Leon will be handed a shirt number in the coming weekplaceholder image
Diego Leon will be handed a shirt number in the coming week | Manchester United
Man Utd have handed out another new squad number after their pre-season return.
Diogo Dalot is the latest Manchester United player to be handed a new squad number after he returned to pre-season training this week. The Portuguese international reported back at the club's Carrington training complex on Thursday after he and compatriot Bruno Fernandes had both been given an extended break.
United welcomed back a host of their international stars as they geared up for their first summer friendly against Leeds United in Stockholm next week. Ruben Amorim's side will then travel to the United States to face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series, before a final home friendly against Fiorentina.
Dalot is expected to feature heavily for United next season and he has been handed a new squad number after he waited patiently for it to become available. The right-back has worn No.20 ever since he joined the club in 2018 but has now taken the No.2 shirt that was vacated when Victor Lindelof left as a free agent.
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Fifth new shirt number as Diego Leon decision awaits
Manchester United have confirmed five shirt number changes since their return to pre-season at the start of the week. The most notable was the news that Matheus Cunha had officially taken the No.10 shirt from Marcus Rashford, despite the fact the English forward is still contracted to the club.
Rashford was one of five players granted an extended pre-season break by the club to facilitate a summer exit, though he has been present at Carrington this week to undergo an individual fitness regime. Sources close to the player insist he would have been open to taking part in group training sessions even though he is not part of Ruben Amorim's plans going forward.
Diogo Dalot has a new Manchester United shirt numberplaceholder image
Diogo Dalot has a new Manchester United shirt number | Manchester United via Getty Images
The other squad number changes are less contentious, with three academy hopefuls handed new shirts to signal their growing stature within the youth ranks. Shea Lacey has been handed the No.61 shirt after he wore No.72 last season, Bendito Mantato has swapped to No.70 from No.85 and Reece Munro has moved to No.65 from No.79.
Summer signing Diego Leon is yet to have his United squad number confirmed and has been pictured this week training in a kit without one printed on it. It is likely the 18-year-old defender is waiting to see which other numbers are available before he decides on his historic first shirt for the club. A decision will likely need to be made soon with him in contention to feature against Leeds a week on Saturday.
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