Premiership Squad Numbers Released - 2004/2005

By Chris O'Brien
August 12 2004

Manchester United have released the squad numbers for the forthcoming Premiership campaign. There are few surprises, but Nicky Butt's old number eight jersey has been left vacant and the number 36 has been retired in memory of Jimmy Davis who tragically died in a car accident last season.

Manchester United have released the Premiership squad numbers for the forthcoming campaign, with the new league season starting on Sunday at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

There are few surprises in the list, with new signings Gabriel Heinze, Alan Smith and Liam Miller taking numbers 4, 14 and 17 respectively. Number 8 has been left vacant, with Nicky Butt leaving the club over the summer, causing speculation that the club are looking to add someone to the squad before the transfer window closes.

Number 36, last season worn by Jimmy Davis, has also been left vacant. The jersey could well be retired in memory of the young striker who tragically died in a car accident whilst on loan at Watford at the age of just 21. A fitting tribute - rest in peace Jimmy.

The club have handed jerseys to several younger players, perhaps indicating that Sir Alex Ferguson is going to give youth a chance this season. Paul McShane, Kenny Cooper and Jonathan Spector are just three of the youngsters who will be hoping to earn some first-team experience this season.

What is also interesting is that the club have given squad numbers to no less than five goalkeepers. Tim Howard and Roy Carroll are expected to battle it out for the number one slot, with Ricardo challenging in reserve. However, highly-rated youngsters Luke Steele and Tim Heaton have also been given numbers.

Squad Numbers 2004/2005 Premiership Season:

1 - Tim Howard
2 - Gary Neville
3 - Phillip Neville
4 - Gabriel Heinze
5 - Rio Ferdinand
6 - Wesley Brown
7 - Cristiano Ronaldo
9 - Louis Saha
10 - Ruud Van Nistelrooy
11 - Ryan Giggs
12 - David Bellion
13 - Roy Carroll
14 - Alan Smith
15 - Kleberson
16 - Roy Keane
17 - Liam Miller
18 - Paul Scholes
19 - Eric Djemba-Djemba
20 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
21 - Diego Forlan
22 - John O'Shea
23 - Kieran Richardson
24 - Darren Fletcher
25 - Quinton Fortune
26 - Phillip Bardsley
27 - Mikael Silvestre
29 - Jonathan Spector
30 - Luke Steele
31 - David Jones
32 - Bojan Djordjic
33 - Chris Eagles
34 - Paul McShane
35 - Ricardo
37 - Keith Cooper
38 - Tim Heaton
39 - Paul Tierney