Manchester United's number 20 shirt has been worn by a mix of club legends and key contributors throughout the Premier League era. A report from Khel Now this week listed the top five players to have worn the jersey, tracing its history from its first official holder to its current occupant. The club's present focus, however, is on improving a difficult start to the 2026-27 season, sitting 16th in the Premier League with zero points after one game.
Who was the first Manchester United player to wear number 20?
Dion Dublin holds the distinction of being the first Manchester United player to be officially assigned the number 20 shirt. This occurred after the Premier League formalised squad numbers starting with the 1993-94 season. Dublin first wore the number in a match on September 22, 1993. He kept it during his time at Old Trafford from 1992 until his departure in 1994, marking the beginning of the jersey's story.
Which legends made the number iconic?
Two legendary figures are central to the number's legacy. Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over the shirt from Gary Neville before the 1996-97 season and wore it until his retirement in 2008. He famously scored the late winning goal while wearing number 20 in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Later, Robin van Persie chose the number upon his arrival, stating he wanted to help United win a twentieth league title. His plan worked perfectly, as he scored 26 goals in his debut 2012-13 season to fire the club to the Premier League crown. Van Persie later said number 20 was the most memorable in his career because of that title-winning narrative.
Who else has worn the shirt in recent years?
Other notable wearers include long-serving goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who had the number from 2015-16 until 2017-18, a period that included a UEFA Europa League triumph in 2017. Full-back Diogo Dalot wore it until vacating it after the 2024-25 season to switch to the number 2 shirt. This opened the door for the latest player to inherit it.
Who wears number 20 for Manchester United now?
The shirt now belongs to midfielder Carlos Baleba, who signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £70 million. His arrival is part of the club's efforts to rebuild a squad that has conceded two goals without scoring in its solitary league match this season. The team's -2 goal difference is a clear area for improvement as they prepare for their next fixture. Fans can track the squad's evolution on our squad page.
What does this mean for the current season?
The history of the number 20 shirt is one of high achievement, but the current team faces an immediate challenge. United are already three points behind early leaders Brighton and need a result in their next match at home against Ipswich Town on August 30. A positive performance is vital to change the early narrative of the campaign. Supporters can follow the team's progress in the standings and check the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. Turning historical inspiration into present-day points is the urgent task.
