Manchester United Launch 2016-17 Home Kit: Images, Details and Reaction
Stuart Newman@@StuNewmanSport
Featured ColumnistJuly 23, 2016
Manchester United launched a new two-tone home shirt for the 2016/17 season on Saturday, harking back to the club’s early days as Newton Heath in 1878.
The top features two different shades of red, with the left side sporting a lighter tone than the right and a hexagonal, honeycomb pattern bringing the two together.
Main sponsor Chevrolet’s logo features in the heart of the shirt, while the trademark three stripes of Adidas run down the sides of the body.
United revealed their new strip via Twitter:
The kit was officially launched at the Adidas Republic of Sports in Shanghai and was the first time United revealed a strip in China.
Players took to the Shanghai stage to show off their new look, with skipper Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford and new boy Henrikh Mkhitaryan among those donning the kit, per Manchester United:
The club’s official website revealed the idea behind the honeycomb design, which brings the two shades of red together, represents the strong worth ethic of both the city and club:
The official coat of arms for the City of Manchester was the basis behind the idea for the honeycomb graphic that knits together the two red block designs on the shirt. It was inspired by the worker bee which appears in the crest and originates from the Industrial Revolution, in which Manchester played a significant role. The strong work ethic of the city is also part of the club’s DNA, instilled in the players whenever they pull on the red shirt and represent the club.
The upcoming campaign will be just the second season in which United have worn Adidas products since 1992, and the brand’s official slogan for the new release is “one shirt, two halves.”
Adidas UK put together an enticing video upon the launch of the shirt, closing off with “first never follows:"
United’s 2016/17 home shirt will be worn for the first time on Monday, when the Reds take on neighbours Manchester City in Beijing as part of their summer tour.
It’s also likely to be on show at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield showdown with Leicester City on August 7, with its first Premier League appearance due at Old Trafford for the clash with Southampton on August 19.