Four days after completing his loan move from Fiorentina on transfer deadline day, Sofyan Amrabat has been officially handed a new squad number at Manchester United.
The World Cup semi-finalist with Morocco had been linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout the summer window as United sought to strengthen the team’s brittle midfield in the off-season.
A statement on United website confirmed: “Sofyan Amrabat’s shirt number at Manchester United can now be confirmed, following the completion of his loan move from Fiorentina,” adding: “The Morocco midfielder followed Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Sergio Reguilon in signing for the Reds last Friday, ahead of the deadline, during a busy day on the transfer front. Now that the formalities have been finalised, we can announce that Amrabat will wear the no.4 shirt at United.”
The statement continued: “Our no.4 shirt was most recently worn by Phil Jones, who left the club this summer when his contract expired. The former England defender had been its occupant for 12 years following his transfer from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2011.”
Legendary captain Steve Bruce was the first no.4 following the introduction of Premier League squad numbers in 1993-94. He was succeeded by David May, who switched from no.12 when Bruce left at the end of 1995-96.