Manchester United reveal new shirts paying tribute to historic 1999 Treble anniversary… but have they got their years mixed up?!
- Manchester United have unveiled their new home kit for 2019-20 season
- Shield around the crest is inspired by their Treble kit from 1998-99 campaign
- United wore a special ‘European’ kit at that time in the Champions League
- The new goalkeeper kit is purple with club saying it related to Treble season
- But United did not have a purple keeper kit during that particular year
- The shirt as actually worn by the players retails at £99.95 with replica for £64.95
Manchester United have unveiled their home kit for next season which pays homage to the Treble-winners from the 1998-99 campaign.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won a historic triple of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, the latter won in dramatic circumstances thanks to stoppage-time goals by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer against Bayern Munich.
However, the new kit – inspired by the special ‘European’ strip United worn between 1997 and 2000 – will be worn in a season in which United – now managed by Solskjaer – will not be competing in Europe’s elite club competition.
Manchester United’s home kit for next season pays homage to the Treble winners from 1999
It will be worn for the first time in the Legends charity match against Bayern Munich on May 26
The shirt for the 2019-20 campaign will have a new club crest of bold black with gold stitching
The shield around the United crest is based on the ‘European’ kit they wore between 1997 and 2000 – including in the 1999 Champions League final victory
The accompanying goalkeeper strip is purple, with the club’s press release stating: ‘The home goalkeeper jersey has a tiger pattern featuring a dark purple two-tone design, inspired by the top worn by our legendary No 1, Peter Schmeichel, during the 1998-99 season.’
However, eagle-eyed supporters pointed out that Schmeichel did not wear a purple kit during the Treble season.
United did wear a purple keeper kit during the 1996-97 season but the one during 1998-99 was either green, or grey in their European matches.
The new goalkeeper kit shares the same pattern as the Bayern Munich strip released on Wednesday, also made by adidas.
David de Gea models the new purple strip to be worn during next season
Peter Schmeichel wore a purple keeper’s kit during the 1996-97 season but not the Treble year
Schmeichel wore a green kit in the majority of United’s matches during the 1998-99 season
Schmeichel also wore a grey ‘European’ goalkeeper strip during the Treble campaign
The new goalkeeper kit shares the same pattern as the new Bayern Munich shirt
Solskjaer’s side settled for an underwhelming sixth-place finish in the Premier League, which was only enough to earn a spot in the second-tier Europa League, meaning their season could start as early as July 25.
Whenever the players do step on to the pitch, their home strip will have 91 and 93 on the sleeve to commemorate the minutes of the goals scored by Sheringham and Solskjaer in the Nou Camp.
The dates of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League conquests are also displayed on the bottom of the shirt, which will have a new club crest of bold black with gold stitching.
United and adidas have put on sale two versions of the home shirt – there is an ‘Authentic’ version identical to the one the players will wear which retails at £99.95 and a ‘fan jersey’ at £64.95.
The retail price of the shorts are £34.95 and the socks £16.95, so anyone wishing to purchase the full kit as actually worn by the players will need to stump up £151.85.
The kit will be worn for the first time in the Legends charity match against Bayern Munich on the 20th anniversary of their Champions League final, while United will debut it in pre-season against Leeds in Perth on July 17.
The detail of the new home kit featuring the date of their 1999 Treble triumph in Barcelona
A close-up of the black and gold club badge, inspired by the late 90s European kit
The shoulder features the familiar adidas three stripes in a slightly darker red tone
The sleeves contain the minutes in which Sheringham and Solskjaer scored in the Nou Camp
Defender Luke Shaw models the new home shirt, which is set to be released on Thursday
Jesse Lingard wears the new shirt, which retails at £64.95 in the official United store
