attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes will wear the No.8 shirt next season, changing from the No.18 he has worn since he joined the club.
Fernandes has always wanted to wear eight on his back, having done so at former sides Udinese and Sporting Lisbon, as well as the Portuguese national team.
It is a special number for the 27-year-old having been born on the eighth of September 1994 and having a number eight tattoo on his arm.
However, when he arrived at Old Trafford in January 2020, fellow attacking midfielder Juan Mata was already in possession of the shirt but following the Spaniard’s departure this summer, Fernandes has wasted no time in making the switch.
The announcement was made on Thursday, ahead of United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, with the player posting a picture of him potting an 8 ball on .
Since permanent squad numbers were introduced ahead of the 1993/94 season, five United players have worn the No.8, with Fernandes following in the footsteps of Paul Ince, Nicky Butt, Wayne Rooney, Anderson and Mata.
At the time of writing, Fernandes is the only current member of the Red Devils squad to have changed shirt number ahead of the 2022/23 season.
It has also been revealed that left-back Tyrell Malacia, Erik ten Hag’s first signing for United, has taken the No.12 shirt, last worn by Chris Smalling in 2019.
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