Jadon Sancho issued surprise Man Utd shirt number as Edinson Cavani theories shot down

Jadon Sancho will wear the number 25 shirt in his debut season at Manchester United. The Red Devils confirmed his £73million arrival from Borussia Dortmund on Friday, but have surprised fans with his choice of shirt number.

Many Man United supporters expected Sancho to inherit Edinson Cavani’s number seven shirt – an iconic number for great wingers down the club’s history.

However, it seems like the Uruguayan striker will hold onto the shirt he thrived in last season before his expected 2022 departure.

Sancho will likely become the Red Devils’ seven once Cavani has moved on, but for now, he will make do with a surprising number.

There were murmurs that Sancho would take number 16 instead of seven for his first season, but the number 25 has shot out of the blue.

The number 25 shirt has, unsurprisingly, only been worn by nine players in United’s past, compared to the 53 stars who have boasted number seven.

Most recently, loanee striker Odion Ighalo wore the shirt from 2019-2021, inheriting the number from its longest bearer, Antonio Valencia.

The Ecuadorian winger-turned right-back actually switched from seven to 25 in 2009, wearing the shirt as a regular starter up until 2019.

Nick Powell wore the shirt in the 2012/13 season after it was Danny Simpson’s from 2006 to 2008. Before Simpson, David Jones was number 25 in the 2006/07 campaign.

Quinton Fortune is also a recognisable United number 25, wearing it from 1999 to 2006 after Jordi Cruyff, Kevin Pilkington and Gary Walsh.

Speaking for the first time since becoming a United player, Sancho shared his excitement to join such a young squad and stated it was always his intention to return to England.

He said: “I’ll always be grateful to Dortmund for giving me the opportunity to play first-team football, although I always knew that I would return to England one day.

“The chance to join Manchester United is a dream come true and I just cannot wait to perform in the Premier League.

“This is a young and exciting squad and I know, together, we can develop into something special to bring the success that the fans deserve. I am looking forward to working with the manager and his coaching team to further develop my game.”

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also expressed his emotions after adding a world-class talent to his already exciting, youthful attacking ranks.

He said: “Jadon epitomises the type of player I want to bring to the club, he is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United.

“He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom. His goals and assists records speak for themselves and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team.”

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