Sabitzer makes curious Man Utd shirt number choice after Ronaldo exit

02 February 2023 , 12:57

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Sabitzer makes curious Man Utd shirt number choice after Ronaldo exit

Marcel Sabitzer will wear the No.15 shirt at Manchester United – meaning that the No.7 shirt vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo remains free.

Ronaldo ended his relationship with United by mutual consent in November following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. That ensured that the club’s famous 7 shirt – worn by icons such as George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham – remains unattached.

With Christian Eriksen's ankle injury set to rule him out for three months after the Danish midfielder limped out of Saturday's 3-1 win against Reading, United were compelled to strengthen their midfield. Sabitzer was signed on loan from Bayern Munich after a last-minute transfer deadline day dash.

United opted to sign Sabitzer on loan after turning down opportunities to sign four other players – including Atletico Madrid duo Saul Niguez and Yannick Carrasco, with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag explaining his long-held admiration for the Austrian.

Sabitzer wore the No.18 shirt ever since he signed for Bayern Munich last summer, but that number was unavailable at Old Trafford after Casemiro picked it up following his £70million summer switch from Real Madrid last summer.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

The Austrian currently wears the No.9 for his national team. However, Anthony Martial currently dons the famous number, meaning that was also not an option for Sabitzer.

Marcel Sabitzer will wear No.15 at Man Utd (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

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The shirt numbers 3, 13, 16 and 26 were all available for Sabitzer. So too was the number 24. Previously in his career, Sabitzer wore the No.24 shirt during stints at Rapid Vienna and Admira Wacker.

However, the Austrian ace has opted to wear the No.15 shirt at United, which was most notably known for its association with long-serving central defender Nemanja Vidic. The Serbian formed a formidable defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand over multiple seasons, winning five Premier League titles at Old Trafford.

It is believed that there is no option nor obligation for United to sign the midfielder permanently from Bayern Munich at the end of the campaign. However, should Sabitzer impress at Old Trafford - the Red Devils may well seek to prolong his stay at the club.

Colin Millar