Revealed: The hidden meaning behind Man United's new kit

Manchester United have launched a bold new kit for the upcoming season – but it won’t come cheap.

United’s bold new shirt features black stripes along the midriff and on the shoulders in a commemoration of club’s founding 140 years ago.

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The red and black shirt will be accompanied by black shorts and red and black socks.

The stripes are described as a “train track graphic” by the club’s official press release, which is a reference to United’s original name; Newton Heath (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway) Cricket and Football Club.

United were founded in 1878 and began by playing other railway companies.

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Adult replica shirts cost £64.95, while a children’s shirt can be bought for £49.95. The long sleeve version is priced at £74.95. Authentic shirts cost £109.95.

“There are many great moments in this club’s fantastic history, and none more important than the year the club was founded, back in 1878,” United’s group managing director, Richard Arnold, told the club’s official website.

“This shirt from Adidas pays homage to the year we were founded, and marks 140 years of footballing success.

“Again, Adidas has shown how innovative they are with their designs – taking a moment from the past and reshaping it for supporters into a jersey which I am sure the fans will love.”

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The new jersey also features the club’s first shirt sleeve sponsorship after United signed a multi-million pound deal with US kitchen and bathroom brand Kohler.

The Premier League changed its rules at the beginning of the 2017-18 season to allow clubs to adorn sponsors’ logos on their sleeves, but United were one of a number of outfits not to take up the opportunity during the campaign.

Inigo Turner, design director at adidas Football, said: “The new shirt for Manchester United mixes the heritage and history of the club’s illustrious past, with modern technology and design innovation from adidas.

“When designing the kit, we wanted to tell the story of the first incarnation of the United kit, 140 years ago.

“Originally, the team wore dark shorts, and we’ve reinterpreted this story in a bold and contemporary way, connecting the past to the future, and combining the very best in performance with street wearability.”