Matheus Cunha officially handed number nine shirt

Manchester United’s preparations for next season are already underway as the club prepares to compete in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.

Led by Michael Carrick, who was appointed as the club’s new permanent manager earlier this month, United may be aiming to finish higher than third in next season’s league campaign.

It remains to be seen exactly what Manchester United’s summer business will turn out to be although the club do have a £250m budget to use in their pursuit for improvement.

Having already agreed a deal for Ederson earlier this week, other players may follow across the course of the coming weeks.

In the meantime, however, the World Cup is due to take place with the tournament kicking off in just a matter of weeks. Ahead of the competition, countries are beginning to announce their kit numbers for each player.

Brazil have now announced their kit numbers with Matheus Cunha handed the number nine shirt for the competition.

The striker, who will play alongside Casemiro in North America, has just finished his first season at Old Trafford having joined the club during last summer’s transfer window.

Cunha will be aiming to make an impression on the world stage at the World Cup and being handed the number nine shirt arguably signals the importance that the forward provides to the Brazilian team.

The number nine shirt has also been heavily contested at Manchester United ahead of the new season with it currently looking likely that Benjamin Sesko will be given the shirt.

Until then, focus from supporters may remain on the World Cup. Brazil are set to face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in their group and Matheus Cunha will be aiming to get his tournament off to a positive start.