Manchester United have just released their new third kit for the 2024/25 season and the shirt itself looks to be going down a treat, but the new advert featuring none other than actor Barry Keoghan has proved to be the real star of the show.
The white adidas Originals kit actually debuted a day prior to the lengthy ad being rolled out, but United had already shared a teaser of Keoghan, a lifelong fan, last week after reports he had been picked for the lead role back in June.
Designed around the central feature of the familiar flag used by the Red Army and various other supporters’ groups around the club, the shirt and the retro tracksuit that has been released alongside it both revolve around adidas’ trademark three stripes and that iconic colour scheme: red, white and black.
Running for nearly two and a half minutes, it channels the magic of iconic footy adverts like Nike’s Joga Bonito, those noughties Pepsi ads, the best of Man United’s kit launch videos down the years, only with all the nostalgia of 90s Manchester scene. Safe to say people have fallen in love with it.
Regardless of whether you’re a Red or not, you have to admit it feels like a real throwback and the cameos alone make for a great watch.
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Filmed around the old Cliff Training Ground in Salford – where the team used to train before moving to Carrington – there’s all manner of references to the club’s history, and the filmic quality to the whole thing makes it feel like something pulled straight out of the era itself.
As Irish reporter Gavan Reilly wrote on X: “Barry at Fergie’s desk. The three lads sitting atop the dugout. Linesman Jaap. Mainoo and Robson. Højlund and Irwin. Amad’s celebration. Garnacho’s grimace. Luke Shaw (probably) getting injured giving fistbumps. A magnificent piece of work.”
The outpouring of positive reactions online is endless; one person wrote: “Everything about this is class with the 90s feel to it and ‘Born Slippy’ [by Underworld] in the background over the commentary is chef’s kiss, while another joked: “If United can get Barry Keoghan to actually dress well, they can absolutely win a quadruple this season…”
A third person added: “Last big advert was Roy Keane, this time Barry Keoghan. The Irish lads are doing well out of Man United. I like the ad. Pulling on the history of the club.” We could go on but you get the gist – fans love it.
You couldn’t put it better than the consensus has on social media, with, “They always drag you back in with stuff like this”, “Reminds you why you love football and why you love this club. Sensational”, and many other comments to this effect to be found in the replies.
United and several other big clubs such as Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus and more will be wearing special adidas Originals kits featuring the classic trefoil logo this season, but we dare say very few will be showing there’s off there’s with an advert starring Barry Keoghan.
Mixing nostalgia and football will always be a winning formula and even Manchester City revealed their throwback 99-inspired away kit earlier this month, but like any kid who watched the old-school campaigns on the telly, adverts like these always stay with you.
While this new venture is focused on youth football, it’s their second in the United States after New York City FC and could help create new pro pathways into the sport at a grassroots level.
Introducing CFG franchise number 13: Man City North Texas FC.
As per an official statement on their website, “Man City North Texas FC delivers youth soccer programs for boys and girls aged 8–19, led by Manchester City coaches and built on the same coaching methodology developed within the Club.
“Every session is designed to help players become better soccer players, technically, tactically, and mentally, through modern, enjoyable training that builds confidence on and off the pitch.”
Basically serving as another academy setup across the pond, North Texas FC will no doubt help not only develop and create opportunities for aspiring young footballers over in the US, but likely serve as yet another feeder programme/outlet for tapping up the latest American talents.
We’ve already seen fairly recently examples such as ex-players Jack Harrison and Zack Steffen coming through the likes of New York and remaining on City’s wider books and either making the move over for a taste of first-team football or being loaned out to other teams.
Even if they ultimately go on to be sold, the aim is to help nurture youngsters and promise three main takeaways: an “authentic Manchester City methodology”, delivered by actual MCFC coaches, and a clear development pathway.
CITYCOACH gives coaches around the world access to the Manchester City methodology – sharing the knowledge, practices, and philosophy that shape how we develop players at every level ⚽️
This most recent ‘youth soccer club’ is just the latest in a long line of fresh Manchester City Football Programs created over the past decade or so, with coaching now being provided to children of all ages across a total of 38 cities in 14 countries.
At present, more than 40,000 kids are estimated to participate in these schemes every year, and thanks to Man City North Texas FC, that number is set to climb even further.
So, if you or someone you know happens to be based in or near the ‘Mean Green’ sporting hub of the ‘Lone Star State’, you can register interest HERE.
Meanwhile, in news closer to home, there are plenty of other big developments happening over at the Etihad Campus. Find out more down below.
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Danny Jones -
14th August 2024 
