Man Utd's No.9 Rollercoaster: Can You Name All Nine Wearers Since the Prem Numbered Up?

Ever wondered why the No.9 shirt feels like a poisoned chalice at some clubs? At Manchester United, the most decorated side in Premier League history, it's been a proper mixed bag of strikers who’ve pulled it on since squad numbers became official in 1993. Legends, loan flops, and everything in between – it's the shirt that screams 'goal machine' but often delivers drama instead.

Inspired by a belter of a quiz from Planet Football via OneFootball, we've dug into the history. Grab a pen, set a 15-minute timer, and see if you can name the nine players who've worn it. Clues? Just the years they donned the famous digits on their backs. We'll reveal 'em all with the lowdown after. No googling, mind!

The Shirt's chequered History at Old Trafford

Back in the 1993/94 season, when the Premier League got all organised with numbers, United were already bossing it under Sir Alex Ferguson. The No.9 became the badge of the main man up top, the fox-in-the-box finisher. But here's the rub: not every wearer lived up to the hype.

Some became immortals, banging in hat-tricks for fun. Others? Well, they warmed the bench or vanished quicker than a dodgy penalty decision. It's a shirt that's seen 120+ goals from its custodians but also some eyebrow-raising fee tags that make you wince. Think treble heroes rubbing shoulders with deadline-day disasters.

Fancy testing your United trivia? The years are your only lifeline: 1993-98, 1995-2001, 2001-06, 2006-08, 2008-12, 2014-15, 2015-19, 2017-19, and 2020-21. Who ya got?

The Reveal: From Heroes to 'What-Ifs'

Drumroll... let's run through the nine No.9s, with a quick pub-style verdict on each.

1. 1993-98: Brian McClair – The original post-squad-number wearer. Scotty Mac was more midfielder than poacher by then, but loyal as they come. Steady Eddie, not a screamer.

2. 1995-2001: Andy Cole – King Cole! Netted 121 goals in red. That debut five-goal haul vs Ipswich? Purest striker's dream. Treble winner, banter with Yorkie, legend status.

3. 2001-06: Ruud van Nistelrooy – Dutch destroyer. 144 goals in 219 games. Ice-cold penalties, volleys from nowhere. Left for Real amid Ferguson fallout – still hurts.

4. 2006-08: Louis Saha – Solid backup but injury-prone. Bagged 29 in 88. Nice lad, decent finisher, but no superstar shine.

5. 2008-12: Dimitar Berbatov – Bulgarian maestro. Lazy genius vibes, that outrageous chip vs Liverpool. 56 goals, but pace? What pace?

6. 2014-15: Radamel Falcao – The £30m loan flop. From Monaco glamour to crutches and four goals in 29. United's biggest 'what happened?' moment.

7. 2015-19: Anthony Martial – French flair kid. Early promise with that debut goal, 54 strikes total. Inconsistent, now plying trade elsewhere.

8. 2017-19: Romelu Lukaku – Big Rom, 42 goals in 96. Powerhouse presence, but technique whispers. Chelsea reunion awaits.

9. 2020-21: Mason Greenwood – Young gun with 10 goals that season. Bright start, but career derailed off-pitch. Complicated legacy.

Legacy of the No.9: Hits, Misses, and What's Next?

Blimey, what a lineup! From Cole and Ruud's golden eras to Falcao's flop, it's a reminder United's striker hunt never sleeps. Total goals in the shirt? Over 450 in the Prem alone. Yet post-Fergie, it's been a curse – no wearer since has hit 20-goal seasons consistently.

These days, the number's gathering dust. Rasmus Hojlund rocks 9 now in 2023/24, aiming to break the jinx. Will he join the heroes or the 'nearly men'? Only time – and goals – will tell.

How'd you do on the quiz? 9/9? You're a Red Devil encyclopaedia. 5 or less? Time to brush up before the next derby. Fancy debating this over a pint? Who's your fave No.9 wearer?