CONFIRMED: Man United confirms Manuel Ugarte’s squad number as the squad to face Liverpool tomorrow is out- IT’S A LEGENDARY SHIRT NUMBER AND WAS LAST WORE IN 1997
Matthijs de Ligt is set to deny Manuel Ugarte his dream shirt number at Manchester United.
Ugarte, 23, is on the brink of finalising his £50million move to Old Trafford before the summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Friday.
The PSG star has been at the top of United’s wish-list for a new defensive midfielder all summer. However, should United sign him before deadline day closes, he won’t be able to feature against Liverpool due to his signing not having been confirmed before midday.
Ugarte won’t be donning the No.4 shirt as he did in Paris, since De Ligt claimed that following his £42m switch from Bayern Munich earlier this month.
The Uruguay international will instead have to choose a number further down the list, not even the No. 15 which he wore for Sporting Lisbon previously, as that is now owned by another new United recruit, Leny Yoro.
All of these are presently occupied within the Red Devils’ squad, although the No. 25 could be up for grabs if Jadon Sancho, who is keen to leave, finalises a move to Chelsea or Juventus before the deadline.
The No. 13 jersey, typically reserved for goalkeepers, is also available at United, along with No.19, left vacant by Raphael Varane in June. Any number from 26 to 34 is up for grabs, as well as 38, 40, 42, 45 and any from 47 upwards.
Ugarte could take over the No. 39 shirt, with Scott McTominay set to join Napoli. The 27-year-old Scotland international is the subject of a £25m deal between the two clubs and is currently in Italy wrapping up the move to join Antonio Conte’s team.
