Bruno Fernandes admitted there were many reasons why he chose the No.18 shirt at Manchester United — including his admiration for club legend Paul Scholes.
The new United signing from Sporting Lisbon revealed his love for Scholes and his wife's birthday date were among the factors he took into consideration when choosing his squad number at Old Trafford.
Fernandes wore the No.8 shirt for Sporting and regularly wears the No.16 for his country Portugal. And although he could have had No.16 at United — with numbers 7, 11, 12 and 25 among those also available to him after his £46.5million transfer — he will follow in Scholes' footsteps.
“There are a lot of reasons for the no.18," he told United's official website.
"It’s a number I like. The last three years I have played as No.8 because it’s the number my father had as a player and my birthday and it’s the number I like.
"Number 18 is also the birthday of my wife and another reason is, when I grew up, I saw Paul Scholes playing in it and for me having this shirt and this number of an amazing player is something I will enjoy. I know I have a lot of responsibility.”
Fernandes could wear the shirt for the very first time in United's Premier League clash with Wolves on Saturday evening.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted in his press conference that Fernandes could feature, though he will definitely be involved in some form.
"He's fit enough to play and he will be involved, be in the squad," Solskjaer said.
"Let's get training out of the way today. He has had few hectic days, and even his daughter's birthday yesterday. I don't know how much he'll be involved, but in squad."
