On 1st August, United released their new home kit for the 2015/16 season, and it’s a beauty. Featuring three stripes on the shoulder, a white-trim v-neck and a white cuff on the sleeves, it brings back memories of the United of old. Bringing a modern look to the classic kits of the previous well-appreciated Adidas kits, it’s a real crowdpleaser – but not every United kit has evoked such feeling. Here’s a look at the five worst kits in the club’s history…
5) 2001/02 Away/Third Kit
Yes, you read that right. It was the away kit AND the third kit. A reversible strip. What a hideous idea that proved to be. Whilst the white (away) side of it was absolutely fine, the flip side of it was simply revolting – a really poor effort at a gold shirt. Sunday league teams would probably love it – there’s only one shirt to buy, which would do every game in a season and only need washed every other game – but for one of the finest footballing establishments in the word? No. Let’s burn any remaining replicas.
4) 1990/91 Away Kit
Although I think this horrible acid house effort looks okay on Ryan Giggs (not a reflection on his music taste, however!), it doesn’t suit anyone else. It’s the kind of gear you expect to see in charity shops, abandoned after it was bought for a 13 year old by his unwitting grandparents. Fitting in with the times or not, you really have to wonder what the mighty Adidas were thinking with this effort.
3) 1993-94 – Third Kit
It’s unfortunate that a “green and gold” effort has to make this list, because the principles of adopting the colours of Newton Heath are something which, as United fans, 99% of us agree with. Specifically those with LUHG in their names on Twitter – who will not be fans of this kit appearing in a Worst 5 – however, we have to look at it without our pre-Glazer tinted glasses and be sensible. It’s abhorrent. Not even Eric Cantona could pull this one off, and he’s a fairly stylish man. To be honest, if it weren’t for the reasoning behind the kit, it could easily be the worst one we’ve ever had as Manchester United.
2) 1997-98 – Home Kit
Maybe it was the horror of wearing this top which spurred United on, wearing a much more commendable effort, in 1998/99 to win the Treble – to escape the though of a shirt they’d worn for a year previous. It just doesn’t make any sense. The collar has no place here, despite looking good on other kits, and what are the sleeves? I mean, what on earth actually are those sleeves? Distasteful to say the least. It’s a shame King Eric made his Old Trafford bow wearing this – his career deserved to finish in a much flashier top.
1) 1995/96 – Third Kit
This probably isn’t the worst one, aesthetically speaking, but the story makes it worth top spot. It’s April 13th, 1996. United are 3-0 down to Matt Le Tissier’s Southampton at The Dell. It’s half time. Sir Alex Ferguson, instead of ripping into his team, orders them to change their kit. They were wearing this grey kit in the first half and perhaps the greatest manager of all time finds it in him to blame it. Yes, the kit.
“The players don’t like the grey strip,” said Ferguson after the match. “They find it difficult to pick each other out. We had to change the strip.”
Some years later in 2012, he said “I changed the kits at half-time and we got charged £10,000 for it. It was the best £10,000 I ever spent!”
The Red Devils lost the game 3-1, with Ryan Giggs grabbing the consolation, so maybe the change of kit did make a difference, but not one significant enough to spur a 4-goal comeback.
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If you want some more appealing stuff to look at try, our Top 5: Best United kits article!
