| Manchester
United Kits 2000-2008 |
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end of an era, as Sharp's shirt sponsorship deal expired. For
the 2000-01 season, Umbro's new Sportswool kit was supposed
to reduce body heat although in reality it seemed to collect
sweat rather easily. Highly criticised by fans for the huge
Vodaphone logo which was bigger than the United badge , the
heavy material and the fact it always got damaged in the wash.
Everybody still went out and bought it in record numbers nonetheless.
A sign of United's popularity rather than the kit design probably.
Worn with white shorts and black socks for domestic games, white
socks in Europe. |
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return to United's traditional change strip of white made this
kit a popular choice on the terraces. The club crest was printed
in black. Like the home kit, it was made from Umbro's new Sportswool
fabric which didn't age well with wear. Worn with white or black
shorts and socks... |
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classy 2000-01 season dark blue and dark red third kit was originally
a training kit. The club crest was printed in white, whilst
the material was the same breathable mix of polyester and wool
as the home kit. It was worn with white or blue shorts and red
or blue socks at Southampton and PSV Eindhoven. A very rare
kit that most fans probably didn't even realise existed! |
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| In
2001, much publicity was given to the fantastic reversible white
or gold away kit to celebrate 100 years of playing under the
name Manchester United. Two kits in one, United wore the white
kit as first choice away kit and the gold as their second. Both
were worn with black shorts and black socks. This was also to
be the last United kit from Manchester sportswear firm, Umbro. |
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| Following
their £100 million sponsorship deal, the first United
kit to be made by US sports giant Nike didn't disappoint. Classic
red, white and black, the material was lightweight and stretchy
with an inner mesh lining which went on to cause trouble for
Diego Forlan as he struggled to get it back on after scoring.
Aware of the media frenzy that went with Manchester United kit
changes, Nike added a Life Span Label to the inside of the jersey
stating 'Launch Date 01/06/2002 life span: May 2004'. |
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2002-2003
- Manchester United away shirt |
| The
2002 away kit from Nike was just as impressive as the home strip.
A white jersey with black shorts and white socks, it will probably
be best remembered for Ruud van Nistelrooy's amazing goal against
FC Basle. Unfortuantely it was also the kit in which United
lost the Worthington Cup Final to the scousers (Launch
date June 2002. Expires May 2003). |
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2002-2003
- Manchester United third shirt |
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popular Nike Manchester United 2002-03 third kit featured the
Vodaphone name in silver. Blue shirt, blue shorts, blue socks.
Great stuff.
(Launch
date June 2002. Expires May 2003). |
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2003-2005
- Manchester United third shirt |
| The new 2003-05
Manchester United third kit was released far sooner than Nike
had planned. The cancelled launch of the black away kit meant
that this unpopular white kit was rushed off the shelves earlier
than expected, amid massive media controversy. A copy of Barcelona's
away shirt, the thin horizontal black and red stripes seem to
ruin what could have otherwise been a perfectly good plain white
strip. Worn by United in their successful FA Cup Semi-Final
triumph over Arsenal in May 2004 with white shorts and socks.
(Launch
date earlier than expected in June 2003. Expired May 2005). |
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| The new 2003-05
Manchester United away kit saw a return to the classy all black
colours after the players had voted the 1993 away kit as their
favourite of all time. A 'watermarked' flower pattern adds a
nice touch to the jersey. Worn with black shorts and socks.
The launch of the strip was controversial, with thousands of
kits being recalled by Nike on the last minute due to a design
fault. The third kit was quickly released instead ahead of schedule
(see above) with the black away kit following slightly later.
(Launch
eventually in 2003. Expired May 2005). |
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| In an era
where the sponsor's logo dominates, the 2004-06 Manchester United
home shirt, designed by Nike, wasn't a popular one with fans.
Taking their uniform Ole 90 design, as worn by most nations
at Euro 2004, Nike applied it to their best-selling top. As
with all the Nike Euro 2004 jerseys, the club crest was centrally
located below the neck. Unfortunately however, unlike the classic
1985 Man Utd home shirt, it doesn't look right and is dwarfed
by the larger Vodaphone logo. Sales were also down on previous
years with United's lack of success on the field and David Beckham
moving to Real Madrid, who as a result overtook United in shirt
sales. Nonetheless, it's still a classy kit and sold in large
numbers. (Launch
15 July 2004. Expired July 2006). |
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| The controversy
that surrounded the launch of the 2005 Manchester United away
shirt had little to do with the Nike designed kit itself but
more to do with the massively opposed takeover of the club by
American billionaire, Malcolm Glazer. Fans groups were angry
that the US tycoon had used rather dodgy borrowing techniques
to plunge the world's richest club into record levels of debt.
Financial experts and some (later sacked) United directors questioned
the Glazer's business plan and predicted it would be inevitable
that Manchester United would fall into financial difficulties.
It was for this reason that fans groups urged all United fans
to boycott this shirt (and any other official Manchester United
merchandise) in an attempt to oust the new owner early. (Launch
1 Aug 2005. Expired one year early in July 2006). |
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| Following
the announcement Vodaphone were terminating their sponsorship
of United 2 years early, the Glazers desperately went in search
of a new shirt sponsor. Insurance giants, AIG (ironically
the American International Group), were lined up and this
adapted 2004-06 kit was produced for the press launch, with
many of the players - especially Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs
- pictured looking not too happy to be photographed wearing
it. (Launch date May 2006 - Never worn
in a match). |
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| The
new Manchester United shirt is a limited edition, one year
only design (obviously to help repay the Glazer debt) and
is described by the club as being "1950’s retro
style – a tribute to the success of the Busby Babes
and their enduring influence". The name of new sponsor
AIG is far smaller than its predecessor, the domineering Vodaphone
logo, resulting in a classy looking kit. There's a gold seem
running along the shoulders and down the sides whilst the
club crest is placed onto a white background similar to the
1997-99 European shirt. Whether it sells in large volumes
is yet to be seen and may depend on whether funds are made
available for any new big named signings. Interestingly, the
kit is almost an exact replica of the one worn the previous
season by breakaway fans' team, FC United.
(Launch date July 24th 2006. Expires
July 2007). |
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| Like
the home kit, the new Manchester United away shirt is a limited
edition, one year only design and sees a welcome return to
United's traditional change colours of white and black. Gold
touches to the sleeves and collars add to the classy look
of this kit. (Launch
date Sep 2006. Expires July 2007) |
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| The
new Manchester United third choice shirt is the away jersey
from the previous season, adjusted to blatantly include the
new sponsor's logo. Fans groups called for a boycott in 2005
of the Vodaphone-sponsored version however this was widely
ignored and thousands bought the kit. The organisers of that
boycott will allow themselves a sly smile now the new AIG
sponsored United shirt has out dated the Vodaphone one. Whether
the same fans go out and buy the new version is yet to be
seen. Worn with blue shorts and socks.
To be confirmed (Launch date August
2006. Expires July 2007). |
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| Released
for just one season, Manchester United and Nike produced a
basic red home shirt. There's was little imagination being
used when designing this one. Plain red, hardly any white
and the badge looked like it has been stitched on at the very
end. The AIG sponsorship logo dominated the shirt. At the
bottom side of the shirt, a sewn on patch reading, 'The Red
Devils' features. On the back of the shirt, a white line at
the top and at the bottom. Available in all sizes and in long
sleeve. Nike also released a woman's top in a similar design.
(Launch date August 1st 2007. Expires
July 2008). |
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| Released
for just one season, Manchester United and Nike have produced
a basic black away shirt. It has more character than the home
shirt as this black top has a trim running over the shoulders,
the neck and the bottom of the sleeves. However, just like
the red kit, the AIG sponsorship logo dominates the shirt.
At the bottom side of the shirt, there's a sew on patch which
reads, 'The Red Devils'. On the back of the shirt is a red
line at the top and at the bottom. It is available in all
sizes.
(Launch date
September 13th 2007. Expires September 2008). |
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| On
Sunday 10th February 2008, Manchester United played Manchester
City in a premiership derby match at Old Trafford. It was
the closest fixture to February 6th - 50 years since the Busby
Babes Munich Air Disaster. To mark the occasion, United wore
a replica kit similar to one the Busby Babes wore (a 1950's
design). The AIG, Nike and United badge were all removed.
Manchester City wore their normal kit although their sponsor
was removed from the shirt. Although the kit looked classy
on the likes of Ronaldo, sadly it didn't bring the Reds much
luck as they went on to lose the game 2-1. In addition to
the change of kit, a red and white scarf was given to every
home supporter to wear on the day (and blue and white for
City fans). (This
kit was never available to buy and was a one-off to mark the
50th Anniversary). |
this
kit was never available to buy |
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click here to see all the current manchester united shirts in
more detail | |
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man
utd kits |
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mufc
kits 2000 - 2008 |
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