Manchester United’s marketing machine dropped a clanger by
allowing the reserve team to wear the new kit two days ahead of its
scheduled release.
The club have been attempting to keep the new strip under wraps
- despite a number of internet leaks picturing both the new home
and away kits.
Originally, the club had planned the launch to come just ahead
of their North America tour this month.
Red alert: Magnus Eikrem celebrates a goal in the
new United home kit
United face Celtic in Toronto on Thursday, followed by clashes
with Philadelphia Union, Kansas City Wizards and the MLS All Stars,
before taking on Chivas in Mexico.
But the hardy fans who turned out to watch the reserve side take
on Curzon Ashton in a friendly on Tuesday night were treated to an
early glimpse of the new jerseys.
With reserve boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking on, the Red’s
strolled to a 4-0 victory over Curzon who ply their trade in
Northern Premier League Division One.
But it was the appearance of players in the new kit which raised
eyebrows - particularly as the club went to such lengths to keep it
out of the public domain.
Flashback: The new kit harks back to the one worn
by United legends in the early 1980s
The new kit is a plain red number with a white fly-away collar,
much like the kit worn by Bryan Robson and co in the early 1980s
and features the logo of new sponsor Aon.
United agreed a four-year deal with Aon Corp, the American
financial company, thought to be worth £80million back in 2009.