Sport

Aitch leaks new Man United kit for 2023/24 season during Glastonbury performance

Better than most kit reveals, to be fair.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 26th June 2023

While most music fans might have been hoping for a surprise guest at Glastonbury this year — although pretty much everyone guessed Foo Fighters — we reckon there weren’t many expecting to see Aitch leak the new Manchester United kit for next season.

Playing the 4pm slot on Saturday at Worthy Farm, the popular Manc rapper and well-known United fan took a little pause in his set for a costume change, warning that “some of you aren’t gonna like this” and jokingly asking security to eject any City fans.

Pulling on the shirt and effectively confirming the leaks we’ve already seen as to what the new home kit looks like, Aitch looks to have jumped the gun a little bit.

Spoilers: the show was great and the kit is red.

The moment Aitch leaked the new 23/24 United kit in front of the Glastonbury crowd.

As you can see, the Moston-born musician looks to have got his new United kit early, debuting the new design on the Pyramid Stage in front of hundreds of thousands of people and even more watching home.

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He even had the words ‘Big Shell 40’ printed on the back as a nod to one of the lyrics from his 2021 song, ‘Learning Curve’.

Regarding whether the kit was real, there seems to be no question as to its authenticity; in fact, the club didn’t even remotely try and pretend it was fake, simply replying to a Match of the Day tweet with one emoji that all but confirmed it was the genuine article.

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To be fair, the cat’s out of the bag now, so there’s not much they can do.

The single emoji relates to the geometric Lancashire rose pattern that features on United’s 23/24 home kit.

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Who knows, this could’ve been an intentional marketing stunt on their part as Aitch has appeared in videos promoting new jerseys before, the most recent being United’s infamous ‘zebra’ kit in the 2020/21 season.

If so, it’s worked an absolute treat as it’s got plenty of people talking — case and point this article.

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So, that’s it, you’ve seen it in person now but what do you make of, Reds? Is this the kind of kit you can see going on to be one to remember after a memorable season?

Elsewhere, images of the away and third kits for the upcoming season have also been seemingly leaked online and considering they include what now looks to be the confirmed home shirt, the chances are these are real as well:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — BBC

Sport

Salford Red Devils supporters meet winding-up adjournment with a petition of their own

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils fans start petition to get rid of owners

Large numbers of Salford Red Devils supporters are currently rallying behind the push to remove their current ownership group, meeting yet another delay to the winding-up petition with a petition of their own: one that would see the owners kicked out of the club, full stop.

Shared online yesterday, the ‘Salford Red Devils Fans Against Jacobsen Venture Group’ (JVG) petition has amassed more than 1,000 signatures and is rapidly gaining traction.

This latest protest comes after a third adjournment of their wind-up process, giving the local rugby league side a little more time to find the funds they owe in unpaid debts and taxes – money that JVG have claimed is set to arrive imminently as of an update earlier this week.

But these supposed assurances all sound far too familiar and are clearly no longer enough for most fans. They no longer care about future investment from those currently behind the scenes: they just want them gone for good.

For context, in addition to more than £700,000 in outstanding fees owed to HMRC, the 152-year-old sporting organisation is also estimated to owe in excess of £5m to various other creditors.

While the consortium led by Swiss businessman Dario Berta (who technically ‘completed’ a takeover of the already financially struggling club back in February) insisted that the bulk of that amount was already hanging over the club before they took control, they have yet to inject long-promised funds.

As a result, after a third stay of execution earlier this week – but one that has done little more than prolong this long-drawn-out uncertainty – most fans have simply had enough.

Following up with a lengthy open letter on Wednesday evening, 29 October, the increasingly militant fan group known as The 1873 said of the potential new funding, “Let us be absolutely clear, we have heard all of this before.”

Even poking holes in the board’s own statement, noting that it suggests that “funding has been formally secured” before noting that it has not yet officially arrived.

“This kind of vague language”, they say, “is exactly what supporters have been subjected to for months: a cycle of empty promises and missed deadlines.

Helping spearhead the ‘JVG Out’ petition, leading member Nick Holt went on to tell BBC Sport Manchester that the patience and blind faith have simply run out.

The 1873 went on to write: “Back in September, the same individuals told the courts that funding would arrive ‘within 10 days’. It never did. In August, at the meeting with The 1873, they claimed money would be in place by the end of that month. It wasn’t.

“Every single time, the same promise and every single time, the same failure to deliver. False hope and no real investment. It is vital [that] supporters understand what is actually being proposed. The owners are not clearing the club’s debts, including the millions they have personally run up.

“Instead, they intend to roll all debts into one high-interest loan, a move that only deepens the long-term financial hole. How do they plan to service such a loan? Next season, the club’s central distribution is set to drop from around £1.3 million to less than £100,000.”

Noting that the recent IMG grading drop and subsequent relegation from the Betfred Super League will mean a significant drop in revenues across the board, they have quite rightly asked where the higher-ups expect to find the funds to make their already heavily overdue repayments.

“Season ticket sales are expected to collapse under the current ownership”, they continue, “and major commercial sponsors will not associate with this regime.

“To claim that this ‘funding’ secures the future of a 152-year-old club is not just misleading, it is an insult to every supporter who has kept this club alive through generations.”

Salford Red Devils have been dropped from the Super League
A petition like this and further demonstrations were guaranteed from the moment Salford Red Devils were relegated.

The impassioned response from the group signs off by adding: “The ownership’s reference to a so-called ‘strategic plan’ for a return to Super League in 2027 is beyond belief. Where is this plan? Why has it not been shared with supporters?

“At this moment, there is no head coach for 2026, no contracted players, and no football department infrastructure. To talk about a Super League return within two years is pure fantasy […] The reality is simple: This ownership group has repeatedly failed to deliver on its promises.

“It has mismanaged and misled, time and again. Every new statement only confirms how detached they are from the damage they continue to cause.”

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Most drastically, they insist that supporters will no longer “be fooled” nor continue to recognise the current ‘stewards’ failing to live up to that title by giving their own time and money to the regime, urging fellow fans to refrain from renewing season tickets, purchasing any merchandise, or attending games.

It’s a bold stance, to be sure, but it’s clear that those most fiercely loyal of supporters are looking to wrestle back control however they can; if you’re one of them, you can sign the petition HERE.

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Featured Images — The 1873 Group (supplied)

Sport

Dream Days return at Manchester United as first-team stars meet fans face-to-face

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester United Foundation Dream Day fans and players meet-up

Man United have made more unforgettable memories with their fan base as they once again invited supporters to the club’s training ground for the latest edition of Dream Day.

Now a bi-annual occurrence, the Dream Day events are not only yet another way of giving back to the local community, but also to give those less fortunate and facing difficult life circumstances a truly wholesome experience.

Set up by the Manchester United Foundation, the player meet-ups provide an opportunity for Reds with life-limiting illnesses to meet their heroes up close and personal.

They’ve always been such special days, and after more than two decades, they’re still bringing smiles to fans’ faces both in the flesh and online.

Commenting on his first attendance as a United player, recent and high-flying signing, Bryan Mbeumo, said: “It’s been a really good experience to take part in the Foundation’s Dream Day. To be able to meet the families, take photos and sign the shirts, I’m just grateful to be here and to make them smile.”

Being cheered as he entered the room at Carrington Training Complex before walking around to meet and greet, he went on to describe it as “just amazing to meet everyone, especially because they are cheering us on every weekend.”

Fellow newboy Benjamin Sesko was also clearly moved by the whole thing, adding: “It’s really special for us, because we can help to put smiles on fans’ faces and answer some questions. I know it helps them a lot, it gives them a great feeling, and for me it’s really nice to give back and help in any way I can.”

With so many senior United squad members in attendance, from established starting XI players like Mbeumo, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui, to youth graduates like Kobbie Mainoo, Ayden Heaven, and many more, virtually everyone possibly available made an appearance.

One particularly touching sight was seeing young Jayden meeting his idol in club captain Bruno Fernandes, who shared a heartwarming embrace.

You can find out more about how to be part of a Man United Dream Day HERE. (Credit: Supplied via MU Foundation)

Speaking on yet another emotional day, Fernandes said: “It’s important as a Manchester United player to take part in these days and to give back to the fans.

“It’s always great to see the kids smiling when they meet us. We can sense the love and support they give to us on and off the pitch – being with them in these little moments is what it’s all about.”

The 12-year-old matchgoer himself was understandably over the moon to meet the ‘Portuguese Magnifico’, telling the Foundation: “It’s been amazing today; I was quite star-struck when they all walked in, I didn’t really know how to react!

“I love all the players, Bruno is my favourite, and he even recorded a message wishing my football team good luck ahead of our game.”

As for his dad, he went on to note: “To see him experience it after everything he’s been going through, you just can’t put it into words. “It means an awful lot to him, and I can see that meeting the players has been so inspiring. They were really lovely with him, and so nice and welcoming.”

From regular school and hospital visits to the return of the upcoming winter Stadium Sleepout, the United Foundation does incredible work across Greater Manchester all year-round, and we’ll never tire of seeing moving scenes like these.

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Featured Images — Manchester United Foundation (supplied)

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