New Delhi: Manchester United have a new number 9 in their ranks as Danish star Rasmus Hojlund has been handed the iconic number 9 jersey by the club. The forward joined from Atalanta last summer and had a decent first season with the club but struggled to string together consistent performances throughout the season. The club have shown faith in the youngster by handing him such a prestigious number and everyone hopes the youngster fulfills his potential at the club.
Anthony Martial was the last person to don the number on his back and he didn’t quite live up to the potential he showed while at Monaco. Since the Frenchman left the club after his contract at the club expired, the number 9 jersey had been left vacant and the Red Devils made no delays in handing it to the 21-year-old.
🔴9️⃣ Rasmus Højlund, Manchester United’s new number 9. pic.twitter.com/BKGAqYqerA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 24, 2024
The number 9 is synonymous with forwards everywhere and just like a lot of the other clubs, United have had numerous players that have donned the jersey and then went on to become a part of the club’s history due to their performances with the iconic number on their back.
Hojlund joins an elite list of strikers who have worn the jersey number on their back and here are a few of the best ones who had the distinction of being called Manchester United’s number 9.
4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring the first goal during the UEFA Europa League match between Manchester United FC and FC Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford on September 29, 2016. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
The legendary Swede had a short stint in England during his nomadic career when he joined Manchester United in 2016 following his PSG stint. He had a two-year stay in Manchester and left the club in 2018 after winning three trophies with the club. The new AC Milan advisor was handed the number 9 jersey following his arrival from Paris, taking the jersey away from Martial who wore it the previous season.
Ibrahimovic only had the jersey number for one season and he had tremendous about of success while wearing the number. He would score 28 goals and provide 10 assists in 46 games all season, including 17 in the Premier League all at the ripe old age of 34. He guided the club to an EFL Cup, FA Community Shield, and a UEFA Europa League success that season. His second season at the club wasn’t like the first, being riddled with injuries and the Swede would leave in March of that season, signing with LA Galaxy.
3) Dimitar Berbatov
Wayne Rooney congratulates teammate Dimitar Berbatov on his goal against the MLS All-Stars during the second half of the MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena on July 27, 2011 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Affectionately called as ‘Berba’ by the fans, the Bulgarian forward had a long career that ended with a one-season spell in India, with the Kerala Blasters FC. Berbatov spent eight seasons in the Premier League representing three different clubs but he is most remembered for his time as Manchester United’s number 9. Signing from fellow rivals Tottenham, the Bulgarian would join the club in the summer of 2008 and would remain at the club for four years.
He would wear the number 9 jersey throughout his stay in Manchester and developed a reputation as one of the most underrated forwards of his generation. During his four years at Old Trafford, he made 149 appearances and scored 56 goals while assisting another 26. His best year at United was the 2010-11 season, where he scored 20 times in the league, winning the golden boot. A trophy-laden spell in Manchester ended with two league titles, two community shields, one league cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.
2) Andy Cole
Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole celebrate a goal together during the FA Carling Premiership match against Southampton at Old Trafford. (Mandatory Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Allsport)
One of the greatest strikers in Manchester United’s history, Andy Cole wore this iconic jersey number throughout the club’s dominance in the late 90s. A product of the Arsenal academy, Cole spent his best years at Manchester United after joining the club in January 1995. Initially taking the number 17, he switched to the number 9 jersey at the beginning of the 1995/96 season, taking the jersey over from Paul Scholes. Cole spent six years at the club and made a total of 275 appearances for the English giants during that time.
He would win nine trophies while at the club, including five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one FA Charity Shield and one UEFA Champions League. Cole was also a part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary treble-winning squad of 1999 and started in the final against Bayern Munich. He called it time on his Manchester United career halfway through the 2001/02 season and finished his United career with 121 goals and 45 assists for the club.
1) Sir Bobby Charlton
Wayne Rooney is presented with a golden boot by Sir Bobby Charlton to mark his 250th Manchester United goal, which saw him break Charlton’s club record, at Old Trafford on January 29, 2017. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
The late great, Sir Bobby Charlton was arguably the best player to have worn the number 9 shirt at Manchester United. Capable of playing as a winger, attacking midfielder or as a forward, he was considered to be one of the best players of all time. He was the last survivor of the 1958 Munich air disaster which claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players and helped the club rebuild after recovering from his injuries. While at the club, he helped England to their 1966 World Cup win and also won the Ballon d’Or that year.
Sir Bobby Charlton would spend almost his entire club career at Manchester United. After joining the club in 1956, he stayed at the club till 1973 and made a total of 758 appearances for the club, which was a long-standing record for the club till it was broken in 2008 by Ryan Giggs. During that time, he scored a whopping 249 goals, provided 18 assists and etched his name into the history books at Old Trafford. He would also remain the club’s highest goalscorer till Wayne Rooney surpassed him in 2017. His time at the club yielded three league titles, one FA Cup, two Charity Shields and one European Cup.
Manchester United have handed young star Rasmus Hojlund an iconic jersey number worn by previous greats of the club showcasing their faith in the forward. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
