Man Utd announce new No.9 in shock official statement

Updated: 22 Aug 2026 11:46 BST | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

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Manchester United have announced their next No.9, with Marcus Rashford handed the iconic jersey in a shock move that hints towards the attacker having a long-term future at Old Trafford.

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The shirt has been vacant since Rasmus Hojlund’s departure from the club, but United have confirmed it has been handed to Rashford for the 2026/27 campaign, the Red Devils have declared.

It is a move that comes as a shock given that Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, had been expected to leave the club this summer. Instead, he has been handed a famous jersey synonymous with some of the greatest players in United’s history.

Current ETV

Marcus Rashford

F, M (L)

Man Utd

Marcus Rashford

F, M (L)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€28.1M - €34.4M

Why has Rashford been given Man Utd’s No.9 jersey?

Rashford’s move to Barcelona a year ago saw him lose the No.10 shirt that he had worn since establishing himself as a key player in Man Utd’s first team in 2018.

His jersey was handed to Matheus Cunha, who has since firmly ingrained himself in Michael Carrick’s plans as a starter.

However, with the No.9 shirt vacant following Hojlund’s move to Napoli – first on loan but now permanently – Rashford has stepped into another iconic role at Old Trafford.

Among the players to have worn the jersey during the Premier League era are Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Dimitar Berbatov and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

© IMAGO - Marcus Rashford will wear the No.9 jersey for Man Utd in 2026/27

Traditionally, the No.9 shirt is worn by a club’s leading centre-forward, though Benjamin Sesko seems content to wear the No.30 for the time being.

It does offer what is likely a coincidental wink towards a role that Rashford may find himself playing in regularly this season given that United have little natural backup in that area. Certainly, Carrick has hinted at the potential of him fulfilling that berth.

“Marcus has come back fantastically well. He’s enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp and strong and ready to play. I’ve been delighted with him since he came back,” the Man Utd boss said on Friday.

“He can play through the middle and has done. I wouldn’t say it’s his number one position, but he can do that, and we’ve got forwards that can give us flexibility right across that front line.”

Man Utd squad numbers: 2026/27

Here is a list of Manchester United’s squad numbers in full for the 2026/27 Premier League season.

New Man Utd signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have been handed the No.17 and No.18 shirts respectively but there has been no major shake-up of jersey numbers for the campaign ahead.