Premiership: Man U hit back at exploitation claim

Manchester United have hit back at claims they are exploiting fans by changing their away kit again next season.

The club launched a new away strip at the start of the current campaign but will be changing it again in the summer as they switch suppliers from Umbro to Nike.

United yesterday came under political fire from Ireland when Dublin TD Martin Brady called on the club to compensate people who have bought the kit as Christmas presents at a cost of around £50 a time.

But United say they made it very clear the strip would run for only one year when it was launched.

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.’’