Manchester United can confirm Marcus Rashford will wear the iconic no.10 jersey when the new season gets under way.
The striker graced the shirt number for the first time on Sunday, during Manchester United’s final pre-season game against Bayern Munich.
Rashford played 63 minutes during United’s 1-0 defeat in Germany, his first outing since returning to the club after his World Cup exploits this summer, and Jose Mourinho explained after the match that the England international has been eyeing the jersey for a while.
“He wanted it,”
Jose told MUTV. “He always wanted it. Of course, he respected the big Rooney and then Zlatan wanted to have it. Of course, he was in the shadow, waiting for the opportunity and now the shirt is empty.
“It's something fantastic for the kid, let's give the shirt to him.”
Before being awarded to Rashford, the number was the property of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who departed the club midway through last season. Prior to that, it was occupied by Wayne Rooney for 11 years.
This is Rashford’s third number in his fourth season as a senior player. He was given the 39 jersey by Louis van Gaal during his his debut campaign and progressed to wearing 19 the following year.
He is now the owner of one of the most coveted shirts in English football. Congrats Marcus!