Premiership: Man Utd defend launch of new strip

Manchester United has defended the launch of a new strip after a Dublin TD criticised the club’s decision.

Fianna Fail 's 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.

Manchester United communications director Paddy Harverson said: ‘‘We launched a new away strip at the beginning of the season because the previous away kit’s two-year cycle had ended.

‘‘However, we were mindful of the fact this kit would only run for one year because Nike are replacing Umbro as our kit suppliers.

‘‘Therefore we produced a special reversible away kit incorporating our white away kit and our gold third kit, giving fans two kits for the price of one.

‘‘This reversible kit has proved a big hit with fans - it is our best-selling away kit ever.

‘‘We made it clear at the time that the kit would only run for one year because of the change of supplier.

‘‘We added a permanent tag to all the away kits explaining that the kit would only last for one year.’’