Welcome to this website’s off-season sports sartorial content. We are counting down the world’s top 50 most iconic sports uniforms. Only current uniforms apply, we are not including one-off or alternate uniforms. Let’s stick to the basics.
#44
Manchester United
Many might have believed Manchester United would be a lot higher on this list, but hold on now. In terms of prestige there’s a case to be made. The Red Devils came in 13th on the latest Forbes list of richest sports teams and the 2nd highest non-American franchise. In terms of overall world popularity, there are very few equals.
However, let’s admit the uniforms today are a bit weird.
Traditionally, United wears the red jersey, white shorts, and black socks as seen above. In the modern times they’ve mixed and matched the shorts and socks plenty but the combination above is the famous look familiar all over the world.
Results on the pitch tell us this isn’t a golden era for Man U soccer and the kit these days suffers, as well. In other eras, they would’ve been much higher on this list. If you look at the Cristiano Ronaldo era from 2003-09 (with the AIG shirt sponsor specifically) it’s about as clean and impressive as the Red Devils have ever looked.
The red-white-black combination from head to toe is tough to pull off at times. These days, Adidas have ruined the kit with the 3 Stripes on the shoulders, flanks, shorts, and socks. Plus, the white on the top of the socks breaks up the traditional pattern adding further frustration to an iconic kit.
If they are determined to do the adidas stripes, they looked a lot better in white, or in black with the white collar.
Yuck. I am surprised at the ability to have something be so terrible AND so basic, all at the same time. I guess that’s impressive.
I know wearing soccer jerseys is it’s own subculture, but I’m not a fan of paying to be a walking billboard for Team Viewer or anyone else really. It’s bad enough the clothing manufacturer gets to put their logo on my clothes. The only jersey I have that would traditionally have ads on it is a Jokerit sweater, but I paid 10 euros more for an ad free version (still cheaper than an NHL sweater).
I haven’t even bought a new ND Hockey sweater since they started putting B1G on them. I’d pay $10 for them to take that nonsense off.
This Jokerit sweater might not be iconic, but it is ELITE.