Rashford's taking of United's No. 9 jersey could be a setback for Zirkzee! Juventus might abandon the transfer as the coach prefers another player.

During the friendly against AC Milan, Rashford, expected to don the No. 14 shirt, was instead given the No. 9 jersey. The club's social media emphasized that this is temporary, with the final choice to be confirmed next week when Premier League squads are registered. However, United wouldn't assign a different number to a player without a specific reason.

Some imaginative Manchester United fans dream that the club might want to keep the No. 14 shirt for the defensive midfielder that owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe dreams of signing, Aurelien Tchouameni, who currently wears No. 14 for Real Madrid. This is pure speculation, and Tchouameni has no particular preference for the number.

Rashford has worn the number 10 jersey for the past seven seasons at Manchester United, which was the number of his idol Wayne Rooney. However, United has already given the number 10 to last season's new signing Cunha, and it cannot be reclaimed. Thus, there were rumors that Rashford would become the new owner of the number 14 shirt for the new season, the same number he wore during his loan at Barcelona.

However, Rashford is no stranger to the number 9 shirt. British media revealed that the first England shirt his uncle gave him as a child was Rooney's red number 9. He also wore number 9 when scoring his first goal for England. During his half-season loan at Aston Villa, he also wore the number 9.

Of course, many fans believe that the €85 million center-forward Sesko deserves the number 9 shirt more. If Rashford eventually gets number 9, it might indicate that he could serve as a backup for the center-forward position in the new season, as United's options at number 9 are weaker than at left wing.

Carrick has fully regarded Danish international Patrick Dorgu as a left winger; he scored again in the match against AC Milan and has not played a single minute at left-back this summer. Also, Cunha is an important option for this position, and Rashford faces stiff competition. On the other hand, at center-forward, Carrick's choices are Sesko, Mbeumo, Cunha, and Zirkzee, so Rashford might have a better chance, as he often played as a center-forward at Barcelona and Villa.

Sesko, considered a starter, has not participated in any pre-season matches this summer. In last season's match against Liverpool, he was knocked down by Konaté and fell out of bounds at Old Trafford, where the slope is very steep, and he hit an advertising board, injuring his tibia. At the time, it was not considered a serious problem, but from May until now, he has still not returned to the pitch.

Even if he passes a medical and can return next week, Sesko cannot start as United's striker in the away match against Hull City next Saturday. Having been out for about four months, he certainly lacks the physical condition needed for a match; he can at most be a substitute, and is more likely to watch from the sidelines.

Zirkzee scored a wonderful goal against Leeds United, but unexpectedly, he did not get a single minute of playing time in the match against Milan! Not only that, but Juventus, who were reportedly most interested in him, might also abandon the transfer. The Juventus hierarchy wants to get this 25-year-old Dutch striker, but head coach Luciano Spalletti favors Alexander Sørloth of Atletico Madrid.

Spalletti believes that Norwegian striker Sørloth fits his system better, as he is stronger, so he has asked the club to sign him in order to prepare for the upcoming season. Juventus must decide whether to follow the coach's wishes or continue pursuing United's star according to the management's plan.