Manchester United have handed new squad numbers to four of the club’s most promising young talents as pre-season training continues to ramp up.
The Red Devils are preparing for their first friendly against Leeds on Wednesday before heading up to Scotland for a follow-up clash against Lyon.
A pre-season trip of America then follows where tougher opposition awaits in Arsenal, Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund
Four of the club’s academy prospects hoping to break through into Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans will be aiming for friendly minutes to showcase their skills and will be doing so with new shirt numbers.
The full list of shirt numbers won’t be released until later in the summer, however, certain academy graduates have already had their new squad digits confirmed.
Homegrown midfield star Kobbie Mainoo has been handed the No.37 shirt after previously wearing the 73 shirt last season.
The 18-year-old is considered a star in the making at Old Trafford and has recently impressed in pre-season training and will be hoping to build on his three senior outings handed to him last season.
Mainoo won United’s Jimmy Murphy young player of the year award last season and takes on the shirt vacated by James Garner who joined Everton one year ago.
Reserve goalkeeper Matej Kovar also benefits from a change after moving from No.40 to No.38 following Axel Tuanzebe’s release from the club.
Kovar is yet to make a first-team appearance but has enjoyed rewarding loan spells at Swindon Town, Burton Albion, and Sparta Prague
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Spanish talent Alvaro Fernandez starred for Preston North End in the Championship last season, winning the club’s young player of the year award and is following in the shirt numbers of former star Paul Pogba.
Fernandez has swapped his previous No.72 in favour of No.42, the same number worn by Pogba during his formative years at Old Trafford.
Reserve star Dan Gore will also benefit from having his shirt number dropped to No.44 after a standout season in the club’s Under 18 ranks.
