Don't lose your shirt if the numbers change

ANY CUSTOMER with a specific printing request at the Old Trafford Megastore will be warned that squad numbers are subject to change and refunds will not be offered.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Demand for Kobbie Mainoo's shirt is certain to soar but he is the number 37 and worthy of an upgrade.

Erik ten Hag considered handing the number seven to Alejandro Garnacho last summer and the United app even teased the possibility.

It went to Mason Mount.

Three, four and nine are the prominent squad numbers vacant at United. Matthijs de Ligt is the number four at Bayern Munich and Joshua Zirkzee has the '9' on the back of his Bologna shirt.

The '2' is likely to become available given United's eagerness to sell Victor Lindelof after seven years. Thirteen, 15 and 19 are also available.

After United's double triumph in 1995-96, the five "kids" Alan Hansen opined United would win nothing with had their squad numbers bumped up.

Gary Neville went from 20 to two, David Beckham 24 to 10, Nicky Butt 19 to eight, Paul Scholes 22 to 18 and Phil Neville 23 to 12.

Garnacho was upgraded last year and Mainoo, the academy's latest poster boy, merits a number more befitting his indispensable status.