Manchester United Squad Number Update: Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United have confirmed that striker Rasmus Hojlund will don the number 9 shirt for the upcoming season, having previously worn the number 11 during his debut campaign at the club.
Rasmus Hojlund Takes Number 9
- Previous Number: 11
- New Number: 9
- Reason for Change: The departure of Anthony Martial from Old Trafford freed up the number 9 shirt.
- Historical Context: The number 9 shirt at Manchester United has a storied history, previously worn by legendary players such as Andy Cole, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dimitar Berbatov, and Brian McClair. Even before the era of fixed squad numbers, it was made iconic by Sir Bobby Charlton, Tommy Taylor, and Jack Rowley.
- International and Club Consistency: Hojlund wears the number 9 for the Danish national team and also wore it during his time at Sturm Graz.
Implications for Joshua Zirkzee
- Available Number: 11, previously worn by Hojlund.
- Potential New Number: Zirkzee is expected to take the number 11, though official confirmation is pending.
- Flexibility: Zirkzee, who has worn both numbers 9 and 11 at Bologna, was waiting to see Hojlund’s decision before finalizing his own squad number.
- Historical Context: The number 11 shirt at Manchester United has also been worn by club legends like Ryan Giggs, George Best (who is also associated with the number 7), and David Pegg.
Other Squad Updates
- Leny Yoro: The summer signing has been assigned the number 15 shirt, a number famously worn by Old Trafford legend and former captain Nemanja Vidic.
Overview
- Hojlund’s Move to Number 9: This switch signifies his increasing importance and central role in the team’s attack.
- Zirkzee’s Potential Number 11: The Dutchman’s flexibility in shirt numbers reflects his adaptable playing style and willingness to fit into the squad dynamics.
These changes not only highlight the strategic planning behind the squad numbers but also maintain the club’s rich historical associations with certain iconic numbers. The fans will be eager to see how these adjustments play out on the pitch in the upcoming season.
