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.
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin July 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin July 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Howhasit come to this for Pep's 500th game?
PEP Guardiola should be in the ultimate honeymoon period.
No surprise McAtee eyes exit in January
CITY and James McAtee both made clear that they wanted to make things work this season. Despite City's title defence crumbling around him, however, McAtee has had a front row seat to the season rather than an active role.
Maguire risks ban in Magpies fixture
UNITED know they will be without several key players when they return to Premier League action to face Newcastle.
'I want to make history at United'
AMAD Diallo 'wants to make history' with United as he aims to help Ruben Amorim turn around the club's fortunes.
Sutton tips 'rubbish' Reds to lose
NEWCASTLE United will make it four wins in a row when they take on United because Ruben Amorim's side are 'rubbish'.
United have to face up to Old Trafford nerves
HOW will the nerves be tomorrow night then? In the wake of Manchester United's pre-Christmas defeat to Bournemouth, Ruben Amorim identified nervousness and anxiety as a problem to be overcome, for his team and the supporters.
Ronaldo 'will be owner of big club'
UNITED legend Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his intention to buy a football club after he retires from professional football.
Council tax needs overdue overhaul
WHILE festive shoppers have been deciding what to buy in the last few weeks, under-pressure local politicians across Northern England are weighing up which public services they can still afford to run.
Claims of a 'fix' with no elections due in 2025
THERE will be no elections held in Greater Manchester in 2025.
Family takes on DIY SOS to build a home for Gary
THE family of a man left disabled after suffering a stroke say they've been left 'blown away' by people's kindness after deciding to build a specially adapted house for him to live in.