Rasmus Hojlund has been handed the No9 shirt for his second season with Manchester United.
The Danish striker, who joined United for £74million, wore No11 during his first season at Old Trafford but Anthony Martial’s departure has allowed him to take the shirt more traditionally associated with strikers.
Hojlund, 21, who scored 16 goals in his maiden campaign, follows in an illustrious line of former Man Utd icons to previously wear the squad number.
Here, we have picked out the five best No9s to grace the Theatre of Dreams in the past.
Ready to lead the line.
Introducing Manchester United’s new number 9️⃣: Rasmus Hojlund 🔥#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 24, 2024
Bobby Charlton
Perhaps the ultimate Manchester United legend, Bobby Charlton set a high bar on what it means to wear United’s No9.
Charlton’s United career spanned nearly two decades, making 697 appearances and scoring 234 goals with countless trophies won including three league titles, the European Cup and the Ballon d’Or.
The 1966 World Cup winner is remembered as a graceful and elegant player, while his sportsmanlike conduct made him fondly remembered by all who encountered him.
Brian McClair
Like many of United’s most successful players, Brian McClair’s 11 years at Old Trafford were littered with trophies.
The Scot won 14 trophies including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, scoring 109 goals in 437 games under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He edges out former team-mate Mark Hughes, who also achieved plenty with United while sporting the No9 on his back.
Andy Cole
The man to succeed McClair as No9 was Andy Cole, who went on to become one of United’s most successful striker of the Premier League era.
Cole is fourth in the list of the Premier League’s all-time top scorers with 187 across spells with the Red Devils and former club Newcastle.
That is made all the more impressive by the fact he never took penalties for Sir Alex’s side and his partnership with fellow striker Dwight Yorke is one of the most profilic English football has seen.
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov is known as one of the Premier League’s great entertainers, with his effortless style making him a fan favourite at the the Theatre of Dreams.
The Bulgarian won Premier League titles in two of his four seasons in Manchester, scoring 56 goals in 149 appearances.
His best season in a red shirt was arguably the 2010-11 season, which included memorable moments such as a hat-trick to beat rivals Liverpool and a five-goal performance against Blackburn.
Seven years ago today – if you’re going to score your first #MUFC hat-trick, you may as well do it to clinch victory over Liverpool! pic.twitter.com/bOnbDkTd0o
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 19, 2017
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the few Man Utd signings in the post-Ferguson era to live up to the hype.
In his only full season, the then 34-year-old scored 27 goals – including three across two cup finals as he helped them win the League Cup and Community Shield.
The legendary Swede also helped United win the Europa League under Jose Mourinho, which remains their last European triumph.
