The first images of what looks to be Manchester United’s new home kit for the 2023/24 season have been leaked online and, as always when it comes to footy shirts, it’s divided opinion.
As any lover of the beautiful game knows, footy kits aren’t just whatever the team wears over the course of a year: they often go down as season, sometimes era-defining bits of fashion infused with footballing memories of childhood, going to the games with your mates, seeing your favourite players and so on.
With that being said, like any group of supporters, Man United fans are always eager to see what the Red Devils will be wearing the following year and if these images are to be believed, this is what the 23/24 home kit looks like.
It isn’t often that we get a full video glimpse of leaked kits either, but you’re in luck this time:
As you can see, Adidas looked to have ditched the popular, retro-looking addition of a proper collar seen on the current shirt for a black and white V-neck design in line with the club’s regular secondary colours.
ADVERTISEMENT
The same colours can be seen on the cuffs as well and they have also got rid of the blocky, pentagonal crest shape around the badge that features on United’s 22/23 home shirt.
As for the exact shade of red and whether it differs at all, it’s rather hard to tell, but if you look closely you can see that there is a distinct texture.
ADVERTISEMENT
This static image gives a better idea of the faint pattern that the stitching creates.
Naturally, the verdict is pretty split as always, with fans dubbing it everything from “plain” or “a grower” to “beautiful” or maybe “the best shirt in years”.
There are also plenty that aren’t giving it the time of day and praying that it’s simply a fake, commenting, “disgusting”, “horrific” and “I’ll cry if this is it”; we even saw one person comparing it to “quilted toilet paper”. Ouch.
ADVERTISEMENT
While many are dubious as to whether this ‘leak’ can be trusted or not given that it still has TeamViewer as the sponsor, with their front-of-the-shirt contract ending this season, it is worth noting that the club stated they will remain there until a new main sponsor is found, which doesn’t look to have happened yet.
All that being said (and if this is indeed the genuine article), what do we think, Reds — is it a winner or simply another templated design from Adidas?
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shot (via SCFC)
Sport
Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Danny Jones -
27th April 2023 
