Bruno Fernandes has confirmed that he’ll now be wearing No.8 shirt for Manchester United.
The change follows Juan Mata’s emotional departure from Old Trafford after donning the digit for eight-and-a-half years. Fernandes is not the only Red Devil with a new number, though, as manager Erik ten Hag’s long-awaited first signing, Tyrell Malacia, has officially been handed the 12 shirt, last worn by former defender Chris Smalling.
Fernandes, who wore eight for Sporting Lisbon before his £47million move to United in January 2020, took the No.18 upon his arrival and quickly made himself a fan favourite. Now his loving supporters might have to fork out for a shirt with his new number on, with the 27-year-old midfielder staying at Old Trafford until 2026 after signing a lucrative four-year contract in April.
Fernandes has the number eight tattooed on his right arm, representing the day he born in September in 1994. The Portuguese playmaker becomes the Red Devils’ sixth player to wear the number after squad digits were introduced ahead of the 93/94 Premier League season.
Paul Ince was the first United ace to wear eight before Nicky Butt took on the mantle. Wayne Rooney would then star in it for his first three years at Old Trafford, with Anderson donning it from 2008 onwards until Mata’s arrival from Chelsea in January 2014 under ex-boss David Moyes.
David de Gea, Mata’s Spanish compatriot and good friend, took to Twitter to tease teammate Fernandes about the switch, asking: “Anything to say @juanmata8.”
Malacia’s number is a less iconic one, but the Dutch left-back is desperate to have the kind of Old Trafford career as idol Patrice Evra, telling manutd.com: “I want to do even better [than Evra]. I know it’s going to be difficult, but I set the bar high for myself. It’s what I want.”
Having signed from Feyenoord for £13m, Malacia added: “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new team-mates and a tremendous manager leading us. I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.
“Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt. I’ll always be thankful to Feyenoord for all they have given to me and my family. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them. Now I’m ready to focus on the future with United, and help my new club achieve success.”
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