Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Manchester United confirm shirt numbers for Alex Telles and Facundo Pellistri

Manchester United's new squad is taking shape after a dramatic transfer deadline day at Old Trafford.

Following a frustrating summer window for the fans, United made four moves on deadline day - the most high-profile being Edinson Cavani's arrival on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old Uruguay forward, most recently of PSG, has taken on the iconic number seven shirt at United, previously worn by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The No.7 has been something of a poisoned chalice of late, with Ronaldo being followed by Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia, Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay and, most recently, Alexis Sanchez.

However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping that Cavani is more in the mould of legends past than those who have struggled more recently under the weight of expectation that the shirt brings.

Along with Cavani, United also sealed the signing of FC Porto full-back Alex Telles.

The Portuguese international will be tasked with offering more of an attacking threat down the left flank than either Luke Shaw or Brandon Williams currently offer, and Telles has been awarded the No.27 shirt.

While United have struggled to sign their top targets in recent windows, the club have made it a priority to target and sign the world's top youth talent.

Amad Diallo Traore will arrive from Atalanta in January, while 18-year-old winger Facundo Pellistri sealed a late £9m deal from Pellistri is seen as one for the future, and takes the No.28 jersey - and United fans of a certain vintage will not that this was the same number Beckham was awarded when he broke into the first team.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.