Sesko Snags No30 at Man Utd, Leon Switches to No35

Man Utd have been forced into a shirt number alteration after confirming the signing of a new striker

Manchester United have revealed Benjamin Sesko ’s shirt number ahead of a potential debut against Arsenal.

Sesko completed his move to Man Utd from RB Leipzig last weekend and he was unveiled to the Old Trafford faithful ahead of the pre-season friendly against Fiorentina .

United’s deal for the highly-rated Slovenia international could reportedly be worth a total of £73.7million including add-ons, with a fee of approximately £66.3million paid up front.

Upon signing a five-year contract with the Red Devils, Sesko has been handed the No30 shirt.

This is the same number he wore for previous clubs Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg. He did wear No21 while on loan at FC Liefering, and usually wears No11 for his national side.

While clearly a favoured number for Sesko, this particular shirt number has kept a low profile at Man United over the years. In fact, it has been partially vacant ever since the end of the 2022/23 campaign when young back-up goalkeeper Nathan Bishop left for Sunderland.

In the Premier League era, Matteo Darmian, Guillermo Varela, Ritchie De Laet, Lee Martin, John O’Shea and Wes Brown have donned the No30 for the Red Devils, therefore it’s safe to say the shirt number does not come with added pressure.

The decision to hand Sesko the No30 shirt means fellow summer signing Diego Leon has now changed to No35.

The left-back, who arrived at the beginning of July after a deal was agreed with Primera Division side Cerro Porteno earlier this year, wore the No30 during each of his pre-season appearances but has agreed to the alteration.

Man United supporters may get a chance to see Sesko in action for the first time on Sunday as the club have confirmed he is in contention to face Arsenal in a huge fixture across the first weekend of the new Premier League season.