Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich unveil fan-designed third kits for new season

Third kits are always ripe for some mild experimentation - a sash here, some neon there - and a clutch of Europe's biggest clubs have taken a novel approach to their alternative change colours for the 2017/18 season.

Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are among six teams whose third-choice kit has been designed by fans.

Manufacturers Adidas developed their Football Creator Studio to give supporters the chance to create unique designs for their heroes to wear this season.

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Manchester United have arguably been drawn the short straw. Their new grey shirt - which will complement their first-choice red and back-up black - evokes some awkward memories of 1996, when Sir Alex Ferguson ordered his team to change shirts at half-time while 3-0 down to Southampton.

Adidas's Creator Studio platform allowed supporters the opportunity to design the third kits for a group of clubs –  also including Juventus, AC Milan and Flamengo - in "the ultimate expression of fan creativity".

The submitted designs were voted on by fellow fans in a ‘battlemode’, which led to the most popular kits being collated in a 100-strong shortlist.

The winning designs for each club were then chosen by an expert panel of some of the clubs' most iconic players, and will be worn when necessary during the upcoming 2017/18 season.

As well as United's light-grey affair, Bayern Munich will have the back-up option of red stripes on white, Juventus have been handed an unusual green design, and Real Madrid will occasionally take to the field in a semi-pixellated ocean blue.