Manchester United have confirmed the squad’s shirt numbers for the 2026/27 season. The Red Devils made a disappointing start to the new campaign, going down 2-0 to Hull City at the MKM Stadium.

United strengthened their goalkeeping unit this summer by bringing in Karl Darlow on a free transfer. INEOS also added to Michael Carrick’s midfield options with the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Both midfielders started against the Tigers this weekend, while Darlow remained an unused substitute on the bench. There were high expectations around Tielemans, who came into the season after winning the Europa League with Aston Villa, but the Belgian did not make the desired impact.

Before the match, the Red Devils revealed their shirt numbers for the season, with a couple of notable changes catching the eye.

The shirt numbers for the new signings had already been made public earlier and were confirmed again on Saturday. Darlow has taken the No. 12 shirt, previously worn by Tyrell Malacia, who left this summer as a free agent.

Santos will wear No. 17, while Tielemans has been given the famous No. 18 shirt, which Casemiro wore with distinction during his four-season spell at the club. Another new arrival, Tynan Thompson, has been assigned the No. 27 shirt.

It had also been announced earlier that Senne Lammens is now United’s new No. 1 at Old Trafford. The Belgian goalkeeper, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer, wore the No. 31 shirt last season.

One of the most significant shirt number changes involves Marcus Rashford, who spent the last 18 months away on loan but returned to Old Trafford this summer. The England international had fallen out with former head coach Ruben Amorim and first joined Aston Villa on a temporary move in January 2025.

Rashford then spent last season on loan at Barcelona, but the Catalan club decided not to activate the purchase option in his contract. Carrick has since chosen to bring the 28-year-old back into the fold, and the forward even came off the bench against Hull City.

Rashford was given the coveted No. 10 shirt at Old Trafford in the summer of 2018 and wore it until his temporary departure last year. Matheus Cunha is now the holder of that number, and the English forward has subsequently been handed the No. 9 shirt for the 2026/27 season.

That number was last worn by Rasmus Hojlund, who left Old Trafford last summer to join Napoli, initially on loan before the transfer was made permanent this year.

Another player set to wear a different shirt number this season is young Shea Lacey, who impressed during pre-season. The teenager broke into the senior team last season wearing the No. 46 shirt and looked quite promising.

The academy graduate’s vision in possession and close control make him an exciting option in United’s squad. Lacey’s rise also reflects the Red Devils’ long-standing tradition of promoting young talent.

The English youngster has been given the No. 31 shirt, vacated by Lammens, for the 2026/27 campaign.

Recent reports indicate that United are close to signing Carlos Baleba this summer, and it remains unclear which shirt number he would receive. Optimistic supporters will hope the Cameroon international takes the No. 21 shirt and helps guide the Red Devils to a 21st league title.