Three Manchester United untouchables could be given new squad numbers

In a summer of seismic change at Manchester United, a number of players could also be about to switch up their squad numbers.

A recent UEFA report revealed United had the fifth-highest revenue from replica football kit sales last year, a figure made up of kit manufacturer sponsorship revenue merged with their total merchandising revenue for the calendar year.

Merchandise sales will be key for the club as they look to meet Financial Fair Play regulations this summer, and one way to boost them could be by rewarding some of their most popular players with new shirt numbers to match.

Rasmus Hojlund could be given the No.9 shirt for the new season, with present incumbent Anthony Martial set to leave the club as a free agent at the end of the month.

This would in turn free up his current No.11 shirt, which could be taken by Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine youngster was considered for the No.7 last summer, but was overlooked for it in favour of Mason Mount.

Garnacho would still love to occupy the number worn by his United hero Cristiano Ronaldo, and that isn't out of the question this summer either, with Mount at risk of losing the highly-sought after shirt number. While it might seem a trivial matter at times, United's daily shirt sale record was smashed in less than four hours after it was confirmed Ronaldo would retain his iconic shirt number, so there is clearly a lot of money to be made.

Kobbie Mainoo will also be given the chance to change squad numbers if he wishes, and could take the No.18 shirt that is currently worn by Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder is expected to leave the club this summer, meaning Mainoo could wear the iconic number famously worn by club legend Paul Scholes.