Manchester United: Marcus Rashford set for new squad number on return
Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United with a new squad number, according to reports. His return follows a loan spell at Barcelona, and he is expected to rejoin the team for the summer tour of northern Europe.
Rashford’s previous number, 10, was reassigned to Matheus Cunha. Upon his return, the 28-year-old, who wore the number 10 shirt for seven seasons, will now take the vacant number 14 jersey. This is the same number he wore during his time at Barcelona, a club and city he developed a strong attachment to.
Squad Number History and Player Role
The number 14 shirt at Manchester United has been occupied by 10 permanent players since fixed jersey numbers were introduced to the Premier League in 1993. It was most recently worn by Christian Eriksen. Notable former wearers include Jesse Lingard and Javier Hernández. The most successful player to wear the number 14 for United is considered to be Andrei Kanchelskis, who was the first to wear it for the club in the division. Kanchelskis was a two-time Premier League champion and was the team’s top scorer in the 1994–95 season with 15 goals across all competitions.
Reports indicate that Rashford will be reintegrated into the Manchester United squad. The only exception to this would be an offer from a top European club within the remaining three weeks of the transfer window. With little to suggest such a move will happen, re-establishing himself in Manchester appears to be his immediate path, as he has two years remaining on his contract.
Rashford is expected to play a significant role for United this season. The squad is in need of a specialist on the left wing, a position where Cunha, naturally a number 10 or striker, and Patrick Dorgu, transitioning from left-back, were the primary options in the 2025–26 season.
Transfer Speculation and Future Outlook
Despite not being a first-choice starter for Barcelona, Rashford was a regular contributor last season, accumulating 28 goal contributions across all competitions. During his peak performance for United in the 2022–23 campaign, he recorded 30 goals, making him the only player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to achieve this single-season milestone.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that there are strong chances of Rashford remaining at Manchester United. Romano stated on his YouTube channel that there are no current movements with other clubs, and Rashford is not considering offers from Turkey or Saudi Arabia at this stage of his career, regardless of financial terms.
Rashford had previously agreed personal terms with Barcelona, hoping the club would activate their €30m / £26m option to buy from last season’s loan agreement. However, Barcelona ultimately signed Anthony Gordon instead. Rashford’s reported £325,000-a-week wages are also a factor limiting interest from many European teams.
Head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed that Rashford, along with Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, will join the club’s pre-season camp in Dublin this week. The team is preparing to face Leeds United and AC Milan.
While Rashford’s future appears to be at Old Trafford, the situation could potentially change if Ferran Torres, a Barcelona player, secures a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Torres, who played an important role at Barcelona but was not a regular starter, is reportedly keen on a new challenge. Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has indicated he is open to Torres leaving, stating he respects all players and is focused on the team.
Barcelona is reportedly more focused on pursuing Manchester City’s Rodri, but a departure for Torres could lead them to seek more attacking options. Julian Alvarez is also reportedly on Barcelona’s shortlist, but his club has no intention of doing business unless an astronomical release clause is met, which could further boost Rashford’s chances of a Barcelona move.
However, as of now, the most likely outcome is for Marcus Rashford to remain with Manchester United, with the team facing Leeds United at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, as soon as Wednesday.
Source: si.com
