Man Utd confirm shirt number change for star striker

Manchester United have confirmed that striker Rasmus Hojlund will be wearing a new shirt number this season, having used 11 during his debut campaign at the club.

The switch also has implications for new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who was seemingly waiting to see what Hojlund would do before getting his first United number.

Hojlund, who scored 16 goals last season, has taken advantage of Anthony Martial leaving Old Trafford and vacating the number 9 shirt, becoming the latest player to take it on. The Dane already wears the number at international level and also sported it during his short spell with former Sturm Graz.

He follows in the footsteps of Andy Cole, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dimitar Berbatov and Brian McClair in the Premier League. Over the decades, and before fixed squad numbers were a thing, United’s number 9 shirt had been made iconic by the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Tommy Taylor and Jack Rowley.

For Zirkzee, it means 11 is now free for him to take over, although this is yet to be officially confirmed.

The Dutchman was pretty easy about which shirt he was assigned at United, having worn both 9 and 11 for former club Bologna over the past two seasons. Famous former wearers of the 11 jersey include Ryan Giggs, George Best – who is also massively associated with the number 7, and David Pegg.

Fellow summer signing Leny Yoro had previously been confirmed as the new number 15, following in the footsteps of Old Trafford legend and former captain Nemanja Vidic.

Man Utd No.9 shirt history – Premier League era