Donny van de Beek’s announcement as Manchester United player is imminent, with Sky Sports reporting he underwent a medical in the Netherlands on Sunday.
His unveiling may have to wait a bit though, with Van de Beek currently on international duty.
So there may or may not be a little wait to find out the Dutchman’s new Manchester United squad number.
We don’t consider the number seven shirt an option. This would be an admission of defeat over Jadon Sancho.
Here is a look at five possible options for the new signing…
11
The number 11 shirt has been free at United since Anthony Martial switched to nine.
It is a prestigious shirt at United, formerly worn by Ryan Giggs, and Van de Beek has the ability and experience to not be concerned with any pressure.
16
Currently assigned to Marcos Rojo, the number 16 shirt was made famous at United by Roy Keane and then Michael Carrick.
Van de Beek is another central midfielder who has a chance of emulating some of their success. It would be a good fit.
19
The number 19 shirt has been vacant since Marcus Rashford relinquished it at the end of the 2017/18 season.
27
27 is available after Marouane Fellaini was sold in early 2019.
This would be a chance for Van de Beek to create his own memories and give the shirt a new identity.
34
The number 34 shirt has significance for Van de Beek. It was the shirt number worn at Ajax by his close friend Abdelhak Nouri.
Nouri suffered a heart attack while playing in 2017 and went into a coma.
He wore the number 34 shirt, and this has been vacant at United since youngster Tom Lawrence left the club in 2015.
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