Morgan Schneiderlin wanted Manchester United No.8 shirt - so why didn't he get it?

France Football report that Spanish ace Mata would only switch from his No.8 jersey if he could prise the No.10 shirt from Wayne Rooney, with the England captain refusing to switch.
As a result, Mata could not vacate the No.8 shirt, leaving Schneiderlin with No.28 on his back.
Rooney has worn the No.10 shirt at United since his it was left available by Ruud van Nistlerooy's departure to Real Madrid back in 2006.
After taking the shirt, Rooney revealed that No.10 was his favourite number and he was keen to take the shirt as soon as it became available.

Action Images

Ten: Rooney was not for budging away from his shirt number

And Rooney has had significant success wearing No.10 both for Manchester United and England - making it unsurprising that he did not want to change his number.
Interestingly, Schneiderlin could have had the numbers two, three or nine with the Red Devils, but opted to wear the 28 shirt. No.15 is also free at United following their host of summer business.
Schneiderlin previously wore the No.4 shirt for Southampton, while Mata was the occupant of the No.10 shirt at Chelsea.

Julian Finney

Midfield enforcer: But Schneiderlin did not get his shirt number

Squad numbers sorted, the Red Devils will travel to Club Brugge on Wednesday night as they look to confirm their place in the Champions League group stages.
Another man who has been mixing it up with shirt numbers this year, Marouane Fellaini - who went from 31 to 27 - could be deployed as a striker in that game, with boss Louis van Gaal leaving his options open.
He said: "He can play as a No.9 and a No.10, and he can also play as a No.6 and No.8. This year he will play more as a No.9 and No.10 rather than 6 and 8 because there we have other players."