Demand for Kobbie Mainoo's shirt is certain to soar but he is the number 37 and worthy of an upgrade.
Erik ten Hag considered handing the number seven to Alejandro Garnacho last summer and the United app even teased the possibility.
It went to Mason Mount.
Three, four and nine are the prominent squad numbers vacant at United. Matthijs de Ligt is the number four at Bayern Munich and Joshua Zirkzee has the '9' on the back of his Bologna shirt.
The '2' is likely to become available given United's eagerness to sell Victor Lindelof after seven years. Thirteen, 15 and 19 are also available.
After United's double triumph in 1995-96, the five "kids" Alan Hansen opined United would win nothing with had their squad numbers bumped up.
Gary Neville went from 20 to two, David Beckham 24 to 10, Nicky Butt 19 to eight, Paul Scholes 22 to 18 and Phil Neville 23 to 12.
Garnacho was upgraded last year and Mainoo, the academy's latest poster boy, merits a number more befitting his indispensable status.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 07, 2024 من MEN on Sunday.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 07, 2024 من MEN on Sunday.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'Obsessed' Guardiola can't find solution to puzzle
PEP Guardiola has 'obsessed' over City's rotten run 'maybe too much' according to his goalkeeper Stefan Ortega this week.
Antony at crossroads ahead of January
UNITED splashed £86m on Antony in Erik ten Hag's first transfer window at the club.
MOUNT: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP OR LOSE FAITH
Injury-prone man sends message of hope to fans
Sharks boss Chiefs to maintain home record
SALE secured a 28-10 bonus-point victory which maintained their 100 per cent winning home record this season and condemned rock-bottom Exeter to another loss.
‘Rewiring England at devolution event
THERE'S clearly something about the Nexus building, on the edge of Leeds city centre, that makes it the perfect setting for politicians who want to talk up the benefits of handing over powers to local leaders.
Rising from the BROWN STOUT ANYIL BRAND HOPSTER ashes
Former warehouse gutted by fire has become a thriving pub and hotel
New city centre venue is finalist in awards
A CITY centre pub described as a 'temple' for beer lovers has been named as a finalist at a top awards ceremony celebrating the best in the country.
Aleway station
New craft beer spot at Oxford Road is company's third site in the city
How many more like Caroline are out there?
Court case's eerie similarities show domestic violence is ever-present
Light shed on sums spent on illuminations
GREATER Manchester's 10 councils are set to spend around more than half a million pounds on Christmas lights this year.
