Manchester United appear to be closing in on the signing of Noussair Mazraoui but what squad number will he wear for the club?
It’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ first transfer window at the helm of Manchester United and they are working to reinforce Erik ten Hag’s squad.
About £80m has already been spent this summer on the additions of striker Joshua Zirkzee and promising centre-back Leny Yoro, who has unfortunately been ruled out for three months.
Now it appears United are close to making their third first-team addition in the window by recruiting Noussair Mazraoui.
Ten Hag wants a more progressive right-back who is better on the ball than Aaron Wan-Bissaka in his squad and has settled on his former Ajax starlet Mazraoui, the first youngest he gave a debut to in Amsterdam.
The latest reports claim the 26-year-old is set to travel to Manchester for his medical on Tuesday, with Ten Hag keen to have him available for Saturday’s Community Shield against Manchester City.
However, it doesn’t appear that an agreement with Bayern Munich has been reached, with a double bid for Mazraoui and teammate Matthijs de Ligt rejected.
But with the transfer seemingly edging closer to completion, here are the squad numbers Mazaroui could wear at Old Trafford.
No.3
This could be a top pick for Mazraoui as it appears to be one of his favourite numbers. The Moroccan has worn it for his country since 2017. However, he does tend to play left-back for Morocco due to Achraf Hakimi claiming the other flank.
No.3 has been available since Eric Bailly departed in 2023. Luke Shaw, Patrice Evra and Denis Irwin also wore it.
No.4
Kobbie Mainoo might be eyeing the No.4 as an upgrade to his current No.37 but Mazraoui might fancy it, too. His compatriot Sofyan Amrabat wore the number last season during his loan spell and it suits a defender.
No.13
Rarely popular with outfielders, the No.13 tends to be assigned to back up goalkeepers like Lee Grant, Ander Lindegaard and Roy Carroll. However, Park Ji-sung wore it with distinction at United.
No.19
Raphael Varane’s departure this summer has freed up the No.19 for the first time since 2021. Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck and Gerard Pique are among its former occupiers.
No.26
The No.26 has been available since Dean Henderson left for Crystal Palace last year. The number hasn’t got a prestigious history at Old Trafford.
No.27
Last worn by Wout Weghorst in 2023, No.27 is also free and has previously been worn by defenders Alex Telles and Mikel Silvestre.
No.40
Though a high number and usually not desirable for first-teamers, Mazraoui has worn No.40 for the duration of his time at Bayern Munich.
He may have an affinity with the number or equally want to get as far away from it as possible.
Numbers 31, 32, 33, 34, 36 and 39 are also free before going into the higher digits.
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