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10th August 2018
11:57am BST
"I was sitting in the boss' office, I think it was the first day I was there, and he said: 'What squad number do you want?' I said, 'I'm not fussed to be honest'. He said, 'What about number 16?'" "I said, 'Yeah, no problem'. And literally, that was the conversation. I really didn't give a monkey's, to be honest. It really didn't bother me one bit.Both Keane and Carrick did the jersey proud. That No.16 became vacant when Carrick officially retired at the end of 2017/18. It has now been passed to one Faustino 'Marcos' Alberto Rojo.
The Argentina defender looked set to leave Old Trafford after four years with the club but was retained after United failed to bring in any other central defenders. Rojo can cover the full-back slots as well as lining up in the centre of a back three or four.
Everton looked prime to beat Wolves to his services but Rojo is not finished at United yet and has switched from No.5 to No.16. That may suggest, to some, that the 5 jersey was being freed up for a new acquisition but it remains vacant ahead of the new season.
5 is the only of the traditional Starting XI jerseys not filled after United released a list of their new and updated 2018/19 squad numbers. Marcus Rashford has taken the No.10 jersey [he was previously 19] while Andreas Pereira is the new No.15.
Three players out on loan [listed below*] have been given squad numbers as has Ireland U21 goalkeeper Kieran O'Hara, who will wear No.46 when called up for first team duty. Matteo Darmien is down at No.36 and may yet be loaned out to a Serie A club before their transfer window closes on August 17.
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