Football fans around the world have reacted with astonishment after Manchester United revealed their new third kit - a black and white zig-zag pattern reminiscent of a psychedelic zebra.
The kit was revealed on the club’s website at 8am GMT on Tuesday, 8 September, and within minutes Twitter, Facebook and Instagram were buzzing with jokes and memes.
𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗲𝘀.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 8, 2020
Browse our 2020/21 third kit range: https://t.co/zViHHp6KTG#MUFC x #ReadyForSport pic.twitter.com/9xllIicvkp
Manchester United have won 13 Premier League titles in their traditional red shirts and white shorts and their away strip is a charcoal grey kit but this season they will be sporting a new third kit in occasional games where there is a colour clash.
On the club's website it says Adidas and Manchester United have teamed up to produce “a visually distinctive design”.
Where did Manchester United get the inspiration for their new third kit from? pic.twitter.com/vrKY6TF79s
— PriceOfFootball (@KieranMaguire) September 8, 2020
The zig-zagged jerseys are inspired by United’s first striped kit over 100 years ago and United say: “The latest release aims to provide a fresh update to tradition, while delivering a vibrant new print.”
”To create this new design, Adidas re-drew, hacked and re-imagined combined elements from various jerseys throughout the club’s long history to create a bold new pattern. Utilising United’s iconic club colours of red, white and black, the kit is an original story with a modern update,” it goes on to say.
Pogba in the third Manchester United kit looks like in real pain. 😭 pic.twitter.com/B3Xetf40TJ
— Pioche (@pogpioche) September 8, 2020
But the reaction from United fans and their rivals has been almost unanimously negative.
One diehard fan told Sputnik News: “It’s an absolute monstrosity, especially with the shorts. It’s a joke.”
Is this jersey really Manchester United’s third kit? Or you guys are just playing cos 😂 pic.twitter.com/Du8gsIAjqq
— Kelewele Joint 🍟 (@Ankamagyimi) September 7, 2020
Manchester United’s latest signing, midfielder Donny van de Beek, is expected to join up with his team-mates this week after playing for Holland against Italy on Monday night.
Maguire unveiled in the Manchester United 2020/21 third kit🔥🔥👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/1dBEIhhEiX
— Rambo (@dibiahh) September 8, 2020
Van de Beek said last week: "I cannot begin to explain how incredible an opportunity it is to join a club with such an amazing history.”
His reaction to having to play while dressed as a zebra is not yet known.
Manchester United’s third kit. pic.twitter.com/Oi1wprXRLZ
— Eli Kofi 🖤🗡️ (@eli___k) September 8, 2020