Raphael Varane reportedly took the number 19 shirt at Manchester United after Phil Jones refused to cede the '4', which he has held since the 2011-12 season.

Manchester United defender Phil Jones refused to give up his number four shirt for Raphael Varane, according to a report.

After his arrival in the North West was delayed by quarantine and visa issues, Varane was unveiled on the Old Trafford pitch ahead of his side's 5-1 thrashing of Leeds United on Saturday.

The former Real Madrid man is set to sport the number 19 shirt at Man United after the previous owner - Amad Diallo - was given the '16', but there was an expectation that he would be handed the famed '4' at Old Trafford.

However, long-term injury victim Jones has sported that jersey since the 2011-12 season, and the Manchester Evening News claims that the Englishman refused to relinquish the shirt, despite Varane's request.

The likes of Dwight Yorke, Edwin Van der Sar and Nicky Butt have all worn the '19' for United down the years, while Varane's former El Clasico rival Gerard Pique was handed the shirt for the 2007-08 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Varane took to social media to react to his welcome from the Man United faithful on Saturday, and he could be set for his debut in next Sunday's battle with Southampton.

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