Premiership: Man Utd strip 'rip-off' condemned

Manchester United came under political fire today in Dublin, where Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is a high-profile fan.

A Fianna Fail backbencher accused the club of ripping off supporters by announcing another change of strip.

Martin Brady called on United to compensate people who had bought the club’s current away kit as Christmas presents for their children at a cost of around £50 a time.

He declared: ‘‘The legion of Irish United fans who bought the strip have been ripped off with the news that the club is breaking a promise not to change the strip within a two-year period.

‘‘Fans, especially youngsters, who received the shirts as Christmas presents will be hugely disappointed by the news.

‘‘The club’s decision will put parents under renewed pressure, and give them little-or-no value for money.’’

Mr Brady called on Manchester United to ‘‘do the decent thing’’ and offer any fans who presented the to-be-changed gear at the club’s Dublin city centre store the opportunity to buy the new strip at half the normal retail price.