Nike have unveiled Manchester United’s new home kit inspired by the traditional red, white and black club colours infused with a distinctive pattern iconic in club history.
The body of the shirt is traditional red with a white crafted crew neck collar and central black stripe to replicate the design of the club’s iconic bar scarf, which has previously appeared on the shirts of legendary United sides of the past, including the 1977 and 1985 FA Cup winners, and on the back of the 2008 Champions League and Barclays Premier League winners.
The retro bar scarf is an instantly recognisable Manchester United pattern, held aloft by fans and players in times of both celebration and remembrance.
Inside the front of the shirt, on the back of the club crest, is the phrase ‘Relentless’, which perfectly captures United’s pursuit of success and drive to consistently win the greatest trophies in club football.
While the history and tradition of the club is present in the shirt design, the new home kit is made from Nike’s ground-breaking recycled polyester – which for the first time includes both the shirt and shorts.
Each complete kit is made up of up to thirteen reclaimed plastic water bottles. This new manufacturing process reduces energy consumption by up to 30% compared to manufacturing traditional polyester and saves nearly 100 million plastic water bottles from being dumped at landfill sites.
On the back of the shirt below the neck is a small devil from the club crest, while inside the neck reads ‘Manchester United.’ The home shorts this season are entirely white except for a small woven tab on the hem, which also features the black and white stripe from the United bar scarf. The new home socks are black with a small white devil from the club crest on the calf and a red, white and black striped band at the top. For the first time the club crest on the front of the shirt is heat transferred, making it even lighter and crucially allowing this area to now be ventilated as well.
The light weight kits (13% lighter than previous versions) actively regulate the players’ body temperatures on the pitch to keep them dry and cool at all times through use of Nike Dri-FIT technology. This technology draws sweat away from the player’s body through the material where it can evaporate. Temperature regulation is helped by ventilation zones, consisting of hundreds of tiny laser cut holes from the under arms to the waistband, allowing air to circulate to keep players dry, cool and comfortable. The shirt has a new aerodynamic fit this season, now slimmer and more athletic, providing 17% more stretch than the Manchester United shirt of two years ago. While a bonded hem offers a streamlined look that reduces irritation caused by chafing.
To compliment the new match day kit Nike has launched a unique Manchester United line of training and lifestyle clothing for both players and fans to wear on and off the pitch.
“As players, we get excited when we see the new kit. It’s a great feeling to wear it.” – Wayne Rooney
“It’s just a great buzz to pull on the shirt. I feel very privileged to be able to wear it.” – Michael Carrick
“When I wear the shirt I feel like I have the club’s history on my back. That’s why I always give 100 per cent whenever I play in the shirt.” – Patrice Evra
The kit and extended line is available for pre-order from 24 May 2011
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