Ex-Man Utd star 'banned' from having his name on new club's shirt due to hidden meaning

Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has been 'banned' from having his full name on the back of his shirt at his new club due to it having a hidden meaning.

Rojo signed for United in 2014 from Sporting Lisbon for £16 million and formed part of a backline during Louis van Gaal's spell in charge, with Nani heading back to his old club on loan for the season as part of the deal.

Rojo went on to make a total of 122 appearances for the club across all competitions and scored two goals, winning silverware including the FA Cup, League Cup and the Europa League during his time at Old Trafford.

The former Argentina international never really cemented his position as a first-choice defender and had spells out injured, limiting his playing time over his seven seasons at United.

As his playing time reduced at United, Rojo spent part of the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Estudiantes back in his native Argentina, the team where he originally came through the youth-team ranks.

Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo does not have his name displayed on his new club's shirt. (Image: Getty)

He then joined Boca Juniors in February 2021 for an undisclosed fee, going on to score 11 goals in 133 matches across all competitions for the Buenos Aires-based club.

However, the now 35-year-old defender - who scored three goals in 61 caps for Argentina - has now moved on to a new side.

Rojo has recently signed for Racing Club, who are based in Avellaneda, and he has put pen to paper on a one-year deal.

Announcing the signing on social media platform X, Racing Club posted: "Marcos is now a player for the First Grande. The defender signed a one-year contract and is already available for the next Copa Libertadores match."

Throughout his time at United and elsewhere, the defender has opted to have his full name on the back of his shirt and meant it was adorned with the words 'Marcos Rojo'.

Marcos Rojo has joined a new club. (Image: Getty)

However, that has not been the case with Racing Club and the name on the back of his shirt instead reads 'Marcos R' with the word 'Rojo' absent.

The reason for that word being omitted is rooted in football rivalry.

Racing Club's main rivals are Independiente, who are also based in Avellaneda.

And it just so happens that Independiente's nickname is Rojo - or the same surname as Racing Club's newly-signed defender.

So it would be a little bit awkward to talk up the nickname of their rivals, hence why Rojo's surname has been shortened for that purpose.