Juan Mata will wear the No.8 shirt for Manchester United.
The club's £37.1 million record signing has taken Anderson's shirt, with the Brazilian, currently on loan at Fiorentina, set to leave the club permanently in the summer.
It had been rumoured Mata would take the revered No.7 shirt, last worn by the under-performing Antonio Valencia before he reverted back to his original No.25 squad number.
Mata has replaced Anderson as United's number 8
Last season, Robin van Persie took Fábio da Silva's No.20 shirt with the full-back on loan at Queens Park Rangers, and Valencia's seven-phobia led to him reclaiming his old number from Nick Powell, who was loaned out to Wigan.
"I know that seven is an iconic number here and I spoke to David [Moyes] about it," Mata said. "But we decided eight was the number for me.
"I think number eight is a great number. I like it."
Mata will make his United debut against Cardiff on Tuesday
Adnan Januzaj, the precocious 18-year-old, could receive the number memorably worn by George Best, Steve Coppell, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mata admitted he is eager to play alongside Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.
"For me he is one of the best players in the history of this country," Mata said at his unveiling. "He is unbelievable, he can score and he can assist.
"I will try to connect with him as much as I can. I will try to find the gaps in rival defences, try to be in the positions I have to be in to assist the strikers."
Asked about the pressure that comes with his price tag, Mata said: "I like the pressure, I think it's good for a footballer to try to improve.
"People are expecting big things from me and I am looking forward to it."
Mata will make his United debut for the visit of Cardiff City, managed by former Reds striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, on Tuesday night.
Mata vs United
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-CHELSEA(01 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (L) celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on May 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-CHELSEA(02 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (C) celebrates with Chelsea's Spanish defender César Azpilicueta (R) and Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Oscar (L) after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on May 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League(03 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Juan Mata of Chelsea scores the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 5, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-CHELSEA(04 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (R) celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on May 5, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League(05 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Juan Mata of Chelsea scores the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 5, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League(06 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Juan Mata of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 5, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League(07 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Juan Mata of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 5, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - Premier League(08 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Juan Mata of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 5, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - FA Cup Sixth Round Replay(09 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Antonio Valencia of Manchester United is tackled by Juan Mata of Chelsea during the FA Cup with Budweiser Sixth Round Replay match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - FA Cup Sixth Round(10 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Juan Mata of Chelsea competes with Patrice Evra of Manchester United during the FA Cup sponsored by Budweiser Sixth Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on March 10, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-FACUP-MAN UTD-CHELSEA(11 of26)
Manchester United's French defender Patrice Evra (L) vies with Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (R) during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford, Manchester, northwest England on March 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - FA Cup Sixth Round(12 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Juan Mata of Chelsea competes with Patrice Evra of Manchester United during the FA Cup sponsored by Budweiser Sixth Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on March 10, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Chelsea - FA Cup Sixth Round(13 of26)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Juan Mata of Chelsea competes with Patrice Evra of Manchester United during the FA Cup sponsored by Budweiser Sixth Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on March 10, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Capital One Cup Fourth Round(14 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Referee Lee Mason watches Juan Mata of Chelsea during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(15 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Juan Mata of Chelsea talks to Wayne Rooney of Manchester United as referee Mark Clattenburg looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(16 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Juan Mata of Chelsea is closed down by David De Gea of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(17 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: David De Gea of Manchester United fails to stop a free kick by Juan Mata of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-MAN UTD(18 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (L) celebrates scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, on October 28, 2012. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-MAN UTD(19 of26)
Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea (L) cannot reach Juan Mata's goal-bound shot during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, on October 28, 2012. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(20 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Juan Mata of Chelsea (R) celebrates with team mate Fernando Torres as he scores their second goal goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(21 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United beats Juan Mata of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(22 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United challenges Juan Mata of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League(23 of26)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United beats Juan Mata of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish player Juan Mata (R) s(24 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish player Juan Mata (R) scores a goal during an English Premier League football match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live†services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish player Juan Mata (C) s(25 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish player Juan Mata (C) scores a goal during an English Premier League football match against Stamford Bridge in London, on February 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live†services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish player Juan Mata (R) c(26 of26)
Chelsea's Spanish player Juan Mata (R) celebrates scoring a goal during an English Premier League football match against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO/IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live†services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)