Manchester United confirm new squad numbers for four players

Manchester United have confirmed new squad numbers for Matej Kovar, Alvaro Fernandez, Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore.

Although the numbers for the full first-team squad will be made official later in the summer, the club have announced goalkeeper Kovar will take No.38, Fernandez will wear No.42, Mainoo will take No.37 and Dan Gore has been given No.44.

The four academy youngsters are set to feature in pre-season for United in the coming weeks and some could play in the opening fixture of the summer tour against newly-relegated Leeds in Oslo, Norway on Thursday afternoon.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here

ALSO READ: How Manchester United work on set pieces in training

Mainoo is the only player from that list to have made his first-team debut, which came in January against Charlton. The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut a few weeks later and he also won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

There are high hopes for Mainoo and it's understood he could be kept around the first team next season. United rejected loan interest in the youngster in the January transfer window and a season-long loan this term has not been ruled out.

Fernandez, 20, enjoyed an excellent loan stint with Preston North End in the Championship last season, but he faces competition from Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, who was Erik ten Hag's first signing, in his position of left-back.

Kovar, 23, is likely to leave on loan again, whilst a decision will be made on whether Gore should also leave on a temporary deal or continue his development playing for the Under-21s, who he captained on multiple occasions last season.

The full list