Marcus Rashford raises eyebrows with new squad number as Man Utd clarify
· Michel Sakr · 2026-08-15T15:29:24+00:00 · nguồn gốc
For the first time since December 2024, Marcus Rashford has been included in Manchester United’s matchday squad, but this time, he’ll be donning a new number.
The 28-year-old spent the last year and a half on loan between Aston Villa and Barcelona after being excluded from Ruben Amorim’s plans.
But since the Blaugrana opted against buying him in June, Rashford has now rejoined Man Utd after returning from his post-World Cup squad, and as fate would have it, his first appearance could occur against an AC Milan side coached by none other than Amorim.
Marcus Rashford wears No.9 in Man Utd vs AC Milan friendly
When Rashford first made his breakthrough with the senior team in the 2015/16 season, he famously donned the No.39 jersey. For the next two campaigns, he had the number 19 on his back before being granted the No.10 shirt in 2018, illustrating his great importance to the cause.
But the Englishman’s time out, Matheus Cunha became United’s No.10, leaving fans to wonder what the returning player’s squad number will be this season.
In their final pre-season friendly, United are playing AC Milan in Poland. Ahead of the game, the club released the matchday squad, while revealing that Rashford has been handed the No.9 shirt.
But while this decision raised eyebrows among the supporters who wondered what this means for the club’s transfer plans, the club was quick to clarify that these numbers are only provisional, and that the final list will only be unveiled ahead of next week’s first Premier League game against Hull City.
⚫️ Home
⚫️ Away
🔘 Third
ℹ️ Squad numbers worn in pre-season are provisional and yet to be finalised.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 15, 2026
Will Rashford keep the No.9 shirt?
ِIn recent weeks, it has been reported that Benjamin Sesko, who wore the No.30 in his first campaign at the club, will be given the No.9 role.
The Slovenian would certainly be the most befitting for this squad number, considering his status as Man Utd’s ultimate target man and first-choice striker.
But with the 23-year-old still missing through injury, it remains unclear whether he’ll truly inherit the number last worn by Rasmus Hojlund, or keep his No.30. On the other hand, Rashford has been tipped to take the number 14.
However, we will only receive a definitive answer next weekend, when the club make its selections official.