10 best Manchester United kits: greatest ever MUFC shirts
This giant of a club may have been on a rollercoaster since Sir Alex left, but the faithful fans of Man Utd will always stick together.
Legendary players have pulled on some iconic Manchester United kits across the good, the bad and the ugly seasons.
Old Trafford has witnessed glorious treble-winning sides, spectacular moments and even club legends as gaffers.
From Umbro to Nike to adidas, MUFC shirts have changed almost as much as the famous
squad itself. But we’re not here to talk about flops, only legends.
So, push that chunky tape into the Sharp VHS player, because it’s time to watch Manchester United’s greatest hits in kits.
10. 1996-98 Home
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
Umbro had a stronghold on Man United shirts during the ‘90s, and this 1996-98 home design is a classic example of their superb work.
Premier League champions in 1996-97 and runners-up in 1997-98, plus Charity Shield winners for both seasons. It was Solskjaer and Cole who were the top bagsmen, respectively.
The central logos combined with black outlines are smart. A gradient collar, patterned sleeves and subliminal split club badge print to top it all off.
This is the last jersey that the mercurial Eric Cantona wore, but PFA Young Player OTY David Beckham would slip seamlessly into the vacant no.7 shirt.
9. 2006/07 Home
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
Heading deep into the Nike era now, which was a fairly successful one for club and brand. And quite simply, sometimes the basics are the best.
Look away now, United fans. More success, this time in the form of a Premier League title and strong efforts in reaching a UCL semi and an FA Cup final.
Wayne Rooney and the soon-to-be (maybe) G.O.A.T, Cristiano Ronaldo shared the top scorer award. And no fewer than 8 Man Utd players made the PFA Team of the Year.
Thick white trims, v-neck and piping run throughout making this easy on the eye. Its key feature though? The shield-like club badge with gold details.
8. 2023/24 Home
Image from Manchester United FC.
This season may not go down as one of Manchester United’s finest. Far from it. But this adidas shirt has at least given fans a little something to cherish.
Erik ten Hag’s men are struggling to hit form and their big money signings haven’t bedded in. It’s sadly a familiar story of late for Utd supporters.
Something that has bedded in well though, are the geometric roses on the base red of this excellent 2023/24 home shirt. The wrap collar has a hint of 1990-92 too.
They can turn things around, and you can be sure that Bruno and his bunch will bleed even more red into this whilst trying.
7. 1993-95 Away
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
Time to switch up the colours and head back to the mid-’90s. Huge shin pads, crunching tackles, black boots everywhere. A different era.
This shirt evokes memories of cult icons like Kanchelskis, Cantona and Sharpe. But it also hosted emerging ‘Class Of ‘92’ talents like Scholes, Butt, Beckham and the Nevilles.
Man Utd’s 1993-95 away shirt balances three primary colours brilliantly. Black base with subtle Umbro pattern. Golden yellow detailing. Royal blue sleeve ends.
Black isn’t one of the club’s regular go-to colours and in all honesty, they haven’t come close to doing it as well as this since.
6. 1994-96 Third
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
Manchester United and blue. Two things that you don’t often see together. It does happen though, and sometimes it’s incredible.
Those cult icons we mentioned were still playing, and they collected a domestic double in 1995-96. Cantona stepped up as they beat local rivals Liverpool 1-0 in a cagey FA Cup final.
The stripes are exceptional, using a thick central pillar to offset the others. Club legends are included in a repeat pattern, which also celebrates Utd’s 1968 European Cup win.
We love this one, and it’s given us a crazy idea; let’s see more club legend-based patterns in modern kit design.
5. 1994-96 Home
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
We’re staying in the same year with another shirt that hit us like a thumping Brucey header. Don’t worry, we’ll avoid mentioning the miserable away kit. Eeek.
Eric Cantona most certainly enjoyed popping this collar, as he managed 33 goals across the two seasons. Sharp up front, with Sharp on the front.
Putting MUFC red on clear display for all to see, the background image of the ‘Theatre Of Dreams’ adds plenty of depth and tradition.
Much like many of the players within Fergie’s squad during these two seasons, it’s sensible and effective with a dash of pizzazz thrown in.
4. 1992-94 Third
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
Talking about tradition, what’s more traditional than honouring your club’s original, foundational roots? Newton Heath Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Football Club is reborn.
Green and yellow scarves may look odd to most other clubs’ fans, but to United faithful, it represents true history. The colours of this shirt saw two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.
Mirroring the Newton Heath original, it uses a green and yellow half-and-half design with a lace collar. Umbro modernised it with a polo collar and a cool MUFC repeat pattern.
This kit will forever be etched in the memories of all football fans of a certain age, will we see anything as wacky again? Hopefully.
3. 1997-00 UCL Home
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
Sometimes, performances and moments can elevate shirts to another level. It’s fair to say that Manchester United’s famous treble secured this kit’s legendary status.
The 26th May, 1999. Camp Nou. Sheringham. Solskjaer. This shirt was part of those moments, and it’ll forever be remembered because of that fact.
Elite level club badge work, that’s the first thing to notice. The Champions League background is excellent, including the star-spangled ball that’s instantly recognisable.
It’s one for Man United fans to look at and remember the best of times. We’re sure Teddy and Ole often do the same at home.
2. 1990-92 Away
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
We mentioned earlier that sometimes United will pop up with a bold, blue effort. And this is one worthy of being ranked amongst the best of all time.
Most notably, it was worn in the League Cup final at old Wembley. Brian McClair scored the winner on the day, in a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The adidas Originals motif is something which is massively underutilised in our opinion. It looks great on kits. But it’s the ‘maple leaf’ pattern that’s the clear standout on this icy cool look.
Man Utd have tried to be bold in recent seasons and failed miserably. Zebra kit, anyone? But, we never want them to stop trying to return to the levels of 1990-92.
1. 1992-94 Home
Image from Classic Football Shirts.
It had to be #1 for what is one of the most loved and appreciated Man Utd home kits. Jam-packed with happy memories, the design helps it to become the full package.
Part of two Premier League-winning campaigns, you only need to glimpse at this shirt to picture a raft of the Red Devils’ heroes wearing it. Giggs, Irwin, Ince, Parker. The list could go on.
Ahead of its time, it features a sensational graffiti-style background print. One similar to what Arsenal included on their incredible away shirt from 2022/23.
The lace-up collar is a throwback feature and an idea which could’ve easily jarred with the graffiti. But much like the Bruce and Pallister partnership, it gelled perfectly.
It’s been almost 30 years since we last saw this shirt grace Old Trafford’s turf, could we be blessed with a modern spin-off? We can only sit in hope.
It’s been a tough one to pick, but that’s our full round-up completed! Let us know all about your favourites over on our socials.
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