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Kobbie Mainoo has had a tremendous breakthrough season last year with Manchester United. Now the 19-year-old may be rewarded with a change in shirt number.

The midfielder first featured for Erik ten Hag’s side back in November 2023 against Everton. Mainoo started in centre midfield, helping to seal United’s 3-0 win at Goodison Park. After this showing, Mainoo quickly established himself as a key starter for ten Hag. Across all competitions, the 19-year-old has made 35 appearances, grabbing five goals and three assists.

Mainoo’s first goal for United came in the FA Cup Fourth Round against Newport County where United sealed a 4-2 win.

Most famously Mainoo, alongside fellow academy graduate, Alejandro Garnacho, helped United to seal a 2-1 FA Cup final victory. The match saw United grab an unexpected win against rivals Manchester City, securing European football for the club next season.

With such impressive performances this year, it’s no surprise that the 19-year-old has been nominated for the Golden Boy award, recognising the most talented youngsters in Europe.

With such high acclaim being nominated for the award, Gareth Southgate featured the star in his Euro 2024 England squad. Although Mainoo was substituted in for the Serbia and Slovenia games, he ultimately shone, then being used throughout the knock-out rounds as a starting defensive midfielder.

Now, United are potentially going to reward the star’s talent by promoting his shirt number, or so hints may suggest.

The key hint at Mainoo getting a new number

Photos from United’s most recent training sessions are sparking suggestions that Mainoo may be moving from his current number of 37.

Recent images of the midfielder returning to Carrington have seen him linking up with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Facundo Pellistri. All three of his teammates were sporting their existing shirt numbers of 23, 6 and 28. However, Mainoo kit was seemingly numberless, rather than sporting the number 37.

Only one other player was spotted without a number on his kit. New arrival Joshua Zirkzee was that man, and he is yet to be confirmed by United ahead of next season.

This could indicate that Mainoo is to be registered for the coming season with a different number. We know that number 19 is now free after Raphael Varane left the club this summer as his contract ended.

Christian Eriksen and Casemiro both potentially moving on this summer, possibly freeing up the numbers 14 and 18. However as the transfer window draws on, the potential of them leaving is looking slimmer.

As Mainoo has only just returned to training following his post-Euro 2024 holiday, it’s likely that the 19-year-old will feature on the bench for United in their upcoming Community Shield fixture against Manchester City.