Man Utd drop Pogba hint with squad numbers

Manchester United released their provisional squad numbers for the upcoming season via social media last night, and among some notable changes was a vacant number that many people believe is being reserved for Paul Pogba.

Of the notable changes, Anthony Martial, who wore the number 9 last season, will now wear the number 11 shirt, with new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic taking the number 9.

Adnan Januzaj, who was the last player to wear the number 11, has been allocated the number 15.

It had been speculated that Ibrahimovic might take the number 8 from Juan Mata, but the Spaniard has held on to his squad number for next season.

New signings Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will wear the numbers 3 and 22 respectively, and teenage striker Marcus Rashford has been given the number 19.

But the number that has had everybody speculating, is the vacant number 6.

United are thought to be close to securing a world record £100 million deal to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus, and many believe that the number 6 jersey has been earmarked for the 23-year-old French midfielder.

Pogba wore the number 10 shirt at Juventus last season, but he had previously sported the number 6 for the Italian champions, and it is thought that he will wear that number again if his proposed move to Old Trafford materialises.

United officials have been locked in negotiations with Juventus over the last few days, and a deal for Pogba is said to be close.