in , , , , , , , , ,

Man United star agreed to give up his shirt number at £40.3m new boy’s special request

Donny van de Beek has Dean Henderson to thank for his #34 jersey at Manchester United

According to the Metro, new Manchester United star Donny van de Beek will wear the number 34 jersey next season.

Brought in for £40.3million, Van de Beek is United’s first major signing of the summer. Having brought in Bruno Fernandes in January, the United midfield is in much better shape now than it was last summer.

The 23-year-old donned the number 6 jersey at Ajax Amsterdam. He was keen to switch to number 34 at United. Thanks to Dean Henderson, he can do just that.

Van de Beekwill don the number 34 for Manchester United
Van de Beekwill don the number 34 for Manchester United

According to the report, Van de Beek’s choice is a tribute to his close friend and former Ajax teammate Abdelhak Nouri. The youngster has been in a coma since collapsing in 2017 in a match against Werder Bremen.

“I decided to take his old number on my shirt. I want to get good memories with this number.”

Nouri donned the number 34 for Ajax and Van de Beek was keen to do the same at United. The number was previously allotted to Henderson, who recently penned fresh terms with the club.

Van de Beek’s gesture is a tribute to his close friend Nouri

Van de Beek’s gesture speaks volumes of the player as a person. Despite his meteoric rise, he isn’t far removed from reality and is keen to pay homage to his close friend.

We are hopeful that the Dutchman will do justice to the number and lead the club to much glory in the coming years. If anything, Van de Beek’s heart is at the right place.

As long as he continues to wear the number with distinction, the Dutchman will keep his friend’s memory as a footballer alive.

Dean Henderson was the previous occupant of the number
Dean Henderson was the previous occupant of the number

More Manchester United News

Credit is also to be given to Henderson to acceding to the request. The goalkeeper has made it no secret that he plans to compete for the number one position at United.

Something tells us that David de Gea will not be so charitable in handing over his number to the young Englishman.

Written by Pranav Nair

An Engineering postgraduate with a keen interest in statistics, pop culture and football.

Kalidou Koulibaly is a target for Manchester United and Liverpool

City hand a boost to Man United by having £53m bid rejected for top Serie A star

Thiago Alcantara would be a smart signing for Manchester United (Getty Images)

Man United put off by high wage demands of £29m Spanish veteran star