Fernandes changes Manchester United shirt number

No.8 is also the jersey number worn by Fernandez at his old club Udinese and Sporting Lisbon.

Last season, this number shirt of Manchester United belonged to Juan Mata. Fernandes has had the opportunity to change his shirt number after the Spanish winger left due to the expiration of his contract this summer.

Fernandes has been wearing United's No 18 shirt since joining in January 2020. The Portuguese midfielder explained to his selection that it was his wife's birthday, as well as the shirt number of famed former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes. Meanwhile, No.8 is Fernandes' own birthday and the number of his father's jersey as a player.

In two-and-a-half seasons at United, Fernandes has scored 50 goals in 126 appearances. The 27-year-old midfielder is regarded as the most successful signing of the team since Sir Alex Ferguson.

Paul Ince was the first Man Utd player to wear the number 8 shirt when the shirts were fixed in 1993. The players carrying it next include Nicky Butt, Wayne Rooney, Anderson and Mata.

This summer, Man Utd recruits are the Tyrells of the Tyrell Malacia. 22-year-old Dutch players carry the 12, the T-shirt number last season.

In the opposite direction, United unleashed Mata, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Nemanjamatic and Jessie Lingard. They could also sell Cristiano Ronaldo if the Portuguese star wishes.