Bruno Fernandes can finally grab dream Manchester United shirt number after departure

Juan Mata will be sorely missed in the Manchester United dressing room next season - although Bruno Fernandes might be eyeing-up something the popular Spaniard has left behind on his peg.

Change is coming under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and his impending rebuild has already started with three high-profile yet expected departures. In the last 48 hours alone it has been confirmed that Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Mata will leave the club when their respective contracts expire at the end of this month.

None of those players have commanded a transfer fee. However, as well as freeing-up funds for the wage budget, they have also vacated desirable shirt numbers for potential new signings.

READ MORE: Juan Mata sends classy goodbye message to Manchester United supporters

In the case of Mata and his number 8 shirt, though, that is only if Fernandes doesn't get there first. Shortly after his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, the Portuguese sensation spoke openly about his desire to be handed the number 8 jersey at some point during his United career.

Beyond that it was even the subject of some light-hearted banter between Mata and Fernandes last summer. After seeing Mata put pen to paper on a 12-month extension, Fernandes joked that he might have to wait another season before removing the first digit from his currently-assigned number 18 strip.

Mata waves goodbye to United and will be fondly remembered by supporters, the media and his teammates, even Fernandes! But will his departure prompt a squad-list change?

Explaining his decision to take number 18 when signing for United, Fernandes - who signed a new five-year contract before Ten Hag was appointed - said: "There are a lot of reasons for the No. 18. It's a