Manchester United’s New Magnificent Number 8

Manchester United has released their squad numbers for the 2022/23 season and Bruno Fernandes got his shirt number changed from number 18 to his preferred number 8.

The announcement was made last Thursday after confirming the signing of new boy, Tyrell Malacia, who will be wearing the number 12 jersey. Malacia joined Manchester United from Feyenoord for a fee of 15 million euros.

Malacia is also the club’s first signing under the regime of Ten Hag, with others on the verge of joining the Premier League giants. He will compete for the left-back position with the likes of Alex Telles, Luke Shaw, and Brandon Williams.

Bruno Fernandes is now wearing the iconic number 8 shirt at Manchester United

Fernandes is now wearing the iconic number 8 shirt, which was left vacant by Spanish wizard Juan Mata. Juan Mata, who had been in possession of it since 2014 made it available last month when he departed on a free transfer.

Fernandes will join the likes of Juan Mata, Paul Ince, Nicky Butt, Wayne Rooney, and Anderson to don the number 8 shirt for the Red Devils. Fernandes had worn number 8 at his former clubs Udinese and Sporting Lisbon.

The Portugal international has also worn several other numbers such as number 32 for Novara, number 10 for Sampdoria, number 11 for Portugal, and number 18 last season for Manchester United. However, of all the numbers, his number 8 jersey is very dear to him. So much so that he has tattooed the number 8 on his right arm along with the letters B and F.

The letter B represents the last name of his mother Virginia Borges, and the F represents the surname of his father, Jose Fernandes. The number 8 on his arm and jersey represents his birthday on September 8, 1994, and a tribute to his dad who was a professional footballer and who also wore the number 8 in his playing days. Fernandes senior’s career was cut short because he had to move to Switzerland for work to provide a better life for his family.

Bruno stayed back in Portugal to continue his football development despite his father’s sacrifice. Fernandes, who has scored 50 goals and provided 38 assists in 125 matches for United, is hoping to bounce back from a sub-par campaign last time out, having produced superb form throughout his first 18 months at the club.

United currently enjoying their preseason preparations

Manchester United are now in Bangkok, Thailand on their preseason tour. The fans got a chance to see their new number 8 as he gave a workman-like performance in a 4-0 drubbing of arch-rivals and old nemesis Liverpool on Tuesday.

They are set to play several preseason games over the next 20 days across four cities. They will now travel to Australia to face Melbourne Victory on Friday, July 19, with a game against Crystal Palace a few days after. The last game in Australia will take place against Aston Villa on July 23.

Following their tour in Thailand and Australia, they will return to Europe for their two remaining matches before the 2022/23 Premier League season that begins on August 7. The Red Devils will face Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano on their return, with the dates yet to be confirmed for the same.