Old Trafford could be set to host a three-way brawl for one particular shirt number this coming campaign as three players with a history in a certain digit are eyed by Manchester United
Erik ten Hag could have a shirt squabble of epic proportions on his hands at Manchester United next season.
The Red Devils are looking to stage yet another makeover this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe oversees his first summer in charge of operations. And it's taken no time at all for the transfer mill to get rolling, with Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Sofyan Amrabat each potentially on their way to Old Trafford.
It's believed the Premier League giants are in talks to take Dutch defender De Ligt, 24, from Bayern Munich, while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ugarte has been heavily linked with a move. That's in addition to Fiorentina anchor Amrabat, who already has history with Ten Hag and spent last season on loan at United.
Aside from the stress of delivering those players, United face another dilemma in keeping the trio content given each has shown a preference for the No. 4 jersey. Amrabat, 27, donned that shirt under Ten Hag last term, while 23-year-old Ugarte took the honour at PSG after moving to the Parc des Princes last year.
It's understood Ten Hag will hold discussions with Dan Ashworth about securing a permanent deal for Amrabat, who was key for United en route to lifting the FA Cup last season. The pair previously spent two seasons working together at Eredivisie outfit Utrecht, and so Amrabat may have an in preserving the same United number.
Alternatively, the Morocco international could take over the No. 34 - the number he previously wore for four seasons in Serie A - should Donny van de Beek vacate it. Van de Beek has been linked with the Old Trafford exit after failing to flourish at United, and his days look numbered after a forgettable loan at Eintracht Frankfurt last term.
Of the three players mentioned, centre-back De Ligt is perhaps the most logical No. 4 from a traditional standpoint. Fellow defenders Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce and Phil Jones are some of the United players to don the digit in the past, with the latter taking ownership of it for more than a decade prior to Amrabat's arrival.
Most of the other single-digit numbers are occupied at present, although both the No. 3 and No. 9 jerseys are available. The former has been left vacant since Eric Bailly departed the club in 2022, while the latter is now free following Anthony Martial's release this summer.
De Ligt formerly impressed as a No. 3 at various levels in Ajax's youth system, though he eventually moved into the No. 4 in each of those teams and has worn the number for the past eight seasons. In the end, much of the decision-making as to whom gets their favoured figure may come down to who can get their foot in the door first.
Ugarte has little chance of claiming the No. 8 he once wore with Famalicao given captain Bruno Fernandes won't be relinquishing it anytime soon, though the No. 15 he used to dazzle at Sporting CP is up for grabs. Only one of the rumoured targets can take the coveted No. 4 should all three arrive in Manchester, with the race on to claim a treasured piece of kit at Old Trafford.