Official: Manchester United confirm new shirt number for Diogo Dalot

Manchester United have confirmed that Diogo Dalot has received a new shirt number ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Dalot was an ever-present figure for United last term, despite a woeful campaign that saw the Red Devils finish a pitiful 15th place in the Premier League, having suffered 18 defeats. Nine of these losses came at home.

The Portugal international made 53 appearances across all competitions, registering three goals in that period.

Like many of his teammates, he struggled with the renewed demands of playing in an unfamiliar 3-4-2-1 system, which Ruben Amorim immediately resorted to upon his appointment as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.

Tasked with more attacking responsibilities as a wing-back, Dalot found it hard at first but as the season progressed, he demonstrated positive signs that he was getting the hang of it.

Unfortunately, he suffered an injury which ruled him out for the final few games of the season. He made his return for the Europa League final and the subsequent Premier League meeting with Aston Villa, but sustained another injury in the latter, shortly after coming on as a substitute.

Dalot given new shirt number

Dalot returned to Carrington on Thursday morning for pre-season training and United have confirmed that he will be sporting a new number.

The defender is now United’s new number 2. He had been holding the number 20 since his arrival from Porto in 2018 but following Victor Lindelof’s departure, Dalot has had a change of kit number.

The number 2 is not an unfamiliar one for Dalot, as he has worn it occasionally during international duty with Portugal.

Aside from Lindelof, previous owners of the number include club legends Gary Neville and Wes Brown.

Other United players assigned new shirt numbers

Dalot is not the only United player to receive a new shirt number. The club recently announced that new signing Matheus Cunha will be their new number 10.

Cunha effectively takes over from Marcus Rashford, who is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer as he is not considered to be in Ruben Amorim’s long-term thinking.

Three academy starlets have also been handed new shirt numbers to reflect their growing stature and prominence within the youth ranks.

Shea Lacey has switched to the number 61 shirt after wearing number 72 last season, while Bendito Mantato has moved to number 70 from number 85 and Reece Munro now wears number 65 instead of number 79.

Featured image Vasili Mihai-Antonio via Getty Images

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