It may seem frivolous to us. Meaningless. Just a number. But to many footballers, it's clear the squad number they wear in action means an awful lot.
You only need to look at the way plenty of players will covet their favourite number when they switch clubs and how thankful they are when a current holder gives it up for them. In a modern age where a personal brand is vital, an iconic shirt number is a great way to establish one. CR7. DB23. RioFerdy5.
Numbers mean a hell of a lot to a hell of a lot of players and Manchester United have experienced first-hand how taking a star's favourite jersey away can have a calamitous impact. In his first season at Old Trafford, with the No.9 on his back, Anthony Martial was excellent. Despite being so young and with such a hefty price tag on his head, the Frenchman bagged 17 goals and provided a further 10 assists.
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However, the following summer Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived. The centre-forward wanted the centre-forward's number and Martial was forced to take the No.11 instead. He wasn't happy and his form dipped accordingly. Martial wore the No.11 for three seasons, with Romelu Lukaku taking the No.9 upon his arrival as well, and didn't come close to matching his maiden goal tally in any of those campaigns.
In 2020 upon Lukaku's departure, Martial was finally reunited with his No.9 and what happened? He scored a massive 23 goals and laid on another 12. A roaring return to form. It may have just been a coincidence, especially considering the drop-off he's had since, but it could certainly be owed somewhat to the confidence boost received after getting his favourite number back.
It is not just wild speculation. Speaking in 2020, United great Patrice Evra revealed how being forced to vacate the No.9 negatively impacted his fellow countryman. "I think he had a brilliant start when he played under [Louis] van Gaal," Evra told Sky Sports.
"Then I remember one episode, unfortunately I think they let him really down when they swapped the shirt with Zlatan. I remember we were in the national team and he received a call from the club and they say you have to give your No. 9 shirt, and he was like, 'no, absolutely not.'
"But after, Mourinho contacted him to say Zlatan is going to take the No. 9 and you're going to take the No. 11. It's not like I'm going to say Martial's been not playing well because of that number shirt, but it started from there."
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asked Martial if he wanted the shirt number back, he couldn't contain his excitement. “He [Solskjaer] sent me a message, he said 'do you want to take your no.9 shirt back?’" Martial told Canal+ in 2020 after being reinstated with the jersey.
“I straight-up said yes! I said yes and he told me now it’s up to you to show me [that you deserve it] every time you’re on the pitch."
So while it may be intangible, probably even ridiculous, to the rest of us, shirt numbers can be more than just a helpful feature for referees to keep track of who's been booked. For some, they are tied up with their image, self-worth and confidence.
This is why at the first opportunity Bruno Fernandes has leapt at the chance to get his favoured No.8. The playmaker has the digit tattooed on his arm and has been chomping at the bit to wear it at United since he arrived. With Juan Mata leaving the club earlier this summer, he has finally been able to.
Plenty of players within United's squad are in need of a confidence boost but there isn't one that the club needs back to his best more than Fernandes. After joining the club in 2020 he was a revelation, an instant talisman who lifted those around him, who made things happen and who appeared to be the missing spark the side was lacking.
He kept up his remarkable form for 18 months, making 65 goal contributions in his first 79 matches, but his performances steeply declined last season. He was far from alone in this, but 24 goal contributions (while still decent) in 46 matches is a significant drop-off.
It was more than just in front of goal where United missed Fernandes, however, as his influence on the pitch also waned. Perhaps overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, Fernandes was no longer the focal point or the one teammates looked to for inspiration.
As his own struggles mirrored the team's, Fernandes cut an increasingly frustrated figure on the field. He has always been a risk-taker on the ball but the more he failed to pull them off the more annoyed he became, with every passing lofted ball into touch. As the season ticked on he became more synonymous with yelling at his teammates and pointing instructions, while not taking any responsibility himself. An image which was made even worse when he wore the armband.
Last season was a complete write-off and hardly any players escaped with his reputation unscathed. But United need Fernandes to deliver this season and become the talisman he once was, especially if Ronaldo does depart. He has been granted his wish of wearing his dream number, now he must prove that he deserves it.
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