Manchester United defender Phil Jones reportedly rejected Raphael Varane’s request for his No 4 shirt, as the Old Trafford outcast was pushed further down the pecking order by the star’s move from Real Madrid.

Varane was unveiled to his expectant new Red Devils fans ahead of kick-off on Saturday, as Bruno Fernandes and Co got the old ground rocking with a 5-1 thrashing of Leeds.

The £42m Frenchman enjoyed the perfect introduction to Manchester and aims to replace Victor Lindelof alongside Harry Maguire in the coming games – and will wear the No 19 shirt when he does.

Varane asked United for No 4 – which he also wears for France – as their negotiations reached the late stages but Jones flat-out refused, according to MEN.

Jones has held the No 4, formerly worn by Steve Bruce, since arriving from Blackburn in 2011, but the 29-year-old hasn’t played for United in more than 18 months.

The centre-back endured a horrific 2018-19 season and was frozen-out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The club still haven’t managed to drum-up interest in the player for a sale this summer, with his contract expiring in 2023.

Varane will likely inherit Jones’ shirt when United eventually managed to shift the fallen star Sir Alex Ferguson once said ‘could be our greatest player ever.’