MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER James Wilson has revealed Louis van Gaal insisted he had the number nine on his shirt this season. The 18-year-old was given his first-team debut by Ryan Giggs in May and scored twice in a 3-1 win over Hull City at Old Trafford.
Wilson has made three substitute appearances under Van Gaal this term and claims the Dutchman was behind the decision to switch his squad number from 47 to 49.
“I asked why it had changed as it wasn’t my decision and, because I’m a striker, the gaffer wanted me to have a nine in my number,” Wilson told the club’s official website.
“So he has moved me up to 49. I could have been 99 in theory, but 49 was the closest one.”