Matheus Cunha Claims Manchester United's Legendary No. 10 Jersey, Following in Footsteps of Club Icons

Brazilian star Matheus Cunha has officially been designated as Manchester United's new No. 10, following his confirmation as the club's initial summer transfer acquisition several weeks prior.

During his outstanding 2024–25 campaign with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cunha donned the No. 10 jersey, a performance that caught the eye of the Red Devils. Despite potentially having other options available, Cunha expressed that he had always "aspired to don the red jersey."

The 26-year-old forward now possesses a number that has been worn by Brazil's finest football talents, including legends like Pelé, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Neymar. His lifelong admiration for Manchester United was undoubtedly influenced by previous holders of this prestigious shirt.

Since shirt numbering was introduced to English professional football in 1928, Harry Rowley likely became the inaugural wearer of No. 10 in league competition. Rowley, who also represented Manchester City, netted 55 goals for United across his seven-season tenure with the Red Devils.

Sir Walter Winterbottom sported No. 10 throughout the 1936–37 campaign, though his playing career was short-lived. His footballing heritage was instead established through his 16-year tenure as England's first official manager from 1946 to 1962, making him the longest-serving England boss to date.

During Winterbottom's national team leadership, United's No. 10 was worn by iconic figures Dennis Viollet and Duncan Edwards, who frequently alternated with No. 6 during an era when jersey numbers could vary match by match and typically corresponded to field positions.

These Busby Babes were instrumental in United's consecutive league championship victories during the mid-1950s, with Viollet leading the European Cup goal-scoring rankings in 1956–57. Viollet survived the tragic 1958 Munich Air Disaster, while Edwards was among those who perished in the catastrophe.

Sir Bobby Charlton, another disaster survivor, also wore United's No. 10 during a comparable period to Viollet. Charlton, who would later guide England to their sole World Cup victory in 1966, is considered by many as the club's finest player ever, though he's more commonly linked with No. 9. His 758 appearances and 249 goals for United stood as club records until 2008 and 2017 respectively.

Denis Law held the shirt when Charlton secured the Ballon d'Or in 1966—Law himself had claimed that honor while wearing it two years prior in 1964. The Scottish striker enjoyed a productive 11-year stint with United following an unsuccessful period at Torino and sits third on the club's all-time scoring list behind only Charlton and Wayne Rooney. Law was also crucial to the Red Devils' 1968 European Cup triumph, despite missing the final due to injury.

The roster of legendary players to wear Man Utd's No. 10 continues impressively, with George Best occasionally sporting it while becoming famous for No. 7. Lou Macari and Norman Whiteside subsequently maintained the number's association with excellence at Old Trafford during the 1970s and 1980s, with modern players continuing to honor the shirt's legacy.

Mark Hughes became United's inaugural No. 10 in the Premier League era when fixed squad numbers were implemented in England in 1993. The celebrated striker retained the shirt until his surprising transfer to Chelsea in 1995. The Welsh forward scored 161 goals for the club in total, placing him eighth on the all-time scoring list. The shirt remained unoccupied during the 1995–96 season before emerging talent David Beckham took over from Hughes, until the more iconic No. 7 became accessible.

Teddy Sheringham subsequently became the next wearer, with the elegant forward serving as United's No. 10 from 1997 to 2001. He then transferred it to prolific scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy.

United willingly allowed the goal-scoring machine to leave in 2006 as they prepared to introduce an exciting new chapter. Wayne Rooney transitioned from No. 8 to No. 10 in 2007 and became a central figure at the Theatre of Dreams. He ultimately became the club's longest-tenured No. 10, with many regarding the powerful forward alongside greats like Charlton, Law, and Best.

Rooney was a key player during an exceptionally successful period at the club near the conclusion of Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary managerial tenure. With 253 goals, he currently holds the record as Manchester United's most prolific scorer in history.

Zlatan Ibrahimović showed little hesitation in succeeding Rooney, though the experienced Swedish striker wore United's No. 10 only temporarily, having played most of his club matches in the No. 9 shirt.

The English striker's genuine successor was Marcus Rashford, who emerged as a teenager and appeared destined to guide the Red Devils into their next golden period. The winger initially achieved considerable success, but inconsistency and reported personal challenges have affected his recent career. Nevertheless, he may depart the club as their 13th-highest goal scorer of all time.

Man Utd No. 10 Shirt History—Since 1993