Bruno Fernandes will change squad number from number 18 to the number 8 shirt, Manchester United have confirmed.
The shirt has been vacated by Juan Mata, who left the club as a free agent on June 30.
Fernandes celebrated with an Instagram post potting a number 8 pool ball.
This is the first of several squad number changes expected ahead of the new season.
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Fernandes gets number 8 shirt
Fernandes had joked a year ago that he had wanted Mata’s 8 shirt, after the Spaniard renewed his deal in 2021, writing on social media.
Mata told the club website: “Unfortunately for him, he will have to be patient!”
Fernandes wear the number 8 shirt for Portugal and also wore the number for former club Sporting.
The new squad number represents a fresh start for Fernandes, at a good time in his Manchester United career.
After a blistering start to life as a Manchester United player, he went off the boil last season and his scoring rate slowed down.
Now set for a reset under new manager Erik ten Hag, Fernandes has a new squad number to wipe the slate clean and start afresh.
He could wear the new squad number when United play their first pre-season tour game against Liverpool on Tuesday in Thailand.
Tyrell Malacia to wear 12
Manchester United have also confirmed new signing Tyrell Malacia will wear the number 12 shirt.
Malacia’s move to the Red Devils from Feyenoord was completed earlier this week.
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