Manchester United have confirmed that midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been handed the number 8 shirt for the 2022/23 season.
Fernandes wore the 8 at former side Sporting CP but had to take 18 when he joined United in 2020 as his preferred number was taken by Juan Mata.
The Spaniard has since departed Old Trafford on a free transfer, leaving the number up for grabs, and Fernandes has laid claim to it once again.
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The two players, who are close friends, have previously joked about Mata keeping the 8 shirt away from Fernandes,
with the latter taking to Twitter last summer to joke that the Spaniard’s new contract would deny him his favourite number for another 12 months.
Fernandes, who has the number 8 tattooed on his arm, was also born on 8 September and has worn that number on his shirt throughout his career.
United have also confirmed that new signing Tyrell Malacia has been handed the number 12 shirt which was last worn by Chris Smalling in the 2018/19 season.
