Don't Be Fooled: The Truth Behind Marcus Rashford's Surprising New Man Utd Preseason Jersey Number

Marcus Rashford was assigned the No. 9 shirt for his first inclusion in a Manchester United matchday squad since 2024, though the club was quick to clarify that the returning fan favorite had no permanent claim to the number.

Rashford's most recent outing for United in any role came as an unused substitute against Newcastle United on Dec. 30, 2024. Ruben Amorim was the Red Devils manager who made headlines by sidelining the academy product, so there was a certain irony in the Portuguese tactician now being in charge of AC Milan — the opposition for Rashford's unofficial comeback on Saturday.

As anticipated, Michael Carrick named his former colleague on the bench for the friendly held in Poland. BBC Sport's Simon Stone reported that Rashford had been allocated the No. 9 for United's final preseason match, while also echoing a point the club were eager to publicly emphasize: no final decision has been made.

"Squad numbers worn in preseason are provisional and yet to be finalized," the club posted on social media before kickoff.

What Shirt Number Will Marcus Rashford Wear for Man Utd in the Premier League?

Rashford's final appearance for United saw him sporting the No. 10, a number he had proudly worn for seven straight seasons. Having grown up idolizing Wayne Rooney — the club's all-time leading scorer who donned the No. 10 for most of his Old Trafford tenure — earning that honor was a deeply meaningful milestone.

Quite the opposite feelings may have surfaced when Rashford discovered that Matheus Cunha had been handed his jersey number while he was still at the club last summer. The England international subsequently joined Barcelona and took on the No. 14 shirt, which is the number he was reportedly expected to wear upon his return to United this season.

That number has been unoccupied since Christian Eriksen's departure in 2025, the same year Rasmus Højlund relinquished the No. 9.

Rashford is no stranger to that particular number. The very first England shirt he received as a boy — a gift from his uncle — was a red Rooney No. 9 jersey. When he netted his debut international goal for the Three Lions, he was wearing a red No. 9 shirt, this time bearing the name 'Rashford' on the back. The 28-year-old was also given the No. 9 when he first departed United for a half-season loan at Aston Villa during the second half of the 2024–25 campaign.

Available Man Utd Shirt Numbers

The unoccupied No. 9 shirt Rashford has been temporarily given could realistically be claimed by United's first-choice striker Benjamin Šeško, who was assigned the No. 30 when he joined the club last summer at a time when that number was already available.

Summer arrivals Karl Darlow (12), Andrey Santos (17), and Youri Tielemans (18) have already been officially assigned their permanent squad numbers, leaving several spots in the 20s open for Rashford should he opt against wearing No. 9 or No. 14.

The club will officially confirm all squad numbers next week ahead of Rashford's potential competitive debut back at United against Hull City on Saturday, Aug. 22.