Manchester United’s move for Paul Pogba may be further away than some have suggested, but fans are convinced it’s just a matter of when and not if.
And the release of the club’s provisional squad numbers for the 2016/17 season have only added to their excitement.
The number six has been left free, and many have been quick to point out that it’s the number worn by a certain Frenchman during the bulk of his time in Turin.
Pogba took the number 10 shirt last season, but wore 6 in his first three seasons with the Serie A champions.
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Number 6 should do for Paul Pogba, right? 👀😂 #mufc
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) July 21, 2016
That is not the only ‘first team’ number left free, however.
United will go into a Premier League campaign without a number two for the second successive season – Rafael was the last player to wear that number for the club – unless a new right-back joins in the next couple of weeks.
The most likely contender, according to multiple reports, is Monaco’s Fabinho. Jose Mourinho is thought to be an admirer of he 22-year-old, who made his Brazil debut in 2015.
So alongside Pogba's potential no.6, Fabinho's Monaco no.2 is available too. 🙄
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) July 21, 2016
Elsewhere, new signings Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have been given 3, 9 and 22 respectively.
Those worried that Zlatan nabbing Martial’s number will annoy the French forward should rest easy: Anthony seems to have nicked Januzaj’s number 11 to compensate. The Belgian has now moved to 14.
Additionally, two of United’s promising youngsters have seen a change in squad number which suggests they have a role to play under Mourinho.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah has moved from 51 to 24 and Marcus Rashford will now wear the number 19 after donning 39Â in his breakthrough season.
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