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It seems that even when they have the best intentions, Manchester United somehow always find themselves back in the spotlight.
Their latest slip-up comes courtesy of the women’s team, after eagle-eyed fans spotted an embarrassing kit error ahead of their debut in the Women’s Champions League against Valerenga.
Making their first appearance in the competition proper, Marc Skinner’s side edged past the Norwegian outfit 1-0 thanks to captain Maya Le Tissier’s first-half penalty.
However, the pre-match build-up drew attention for the wrong reasons. On social media, Manchester United Women’s official Instagram account shared a photo of right-back Hannah Blundell’s shirt, complete with the Women’s Champions League sleeve badge.
The issue? The badge was upside down.
While Blundell, making just her second squad appearance since returning from maternity leave, did not make it onto the pitch, she was not alone in the wardrobe mishap. Captain Le Tissier was later seen sporting the same inverted crest during the match.
While Hannah Blundell, making just her second squad appearance since returning from maternity leave, did not make it onto the pitch, she was not alone in the wardrobe mishap
Captain Maya Le Tissier was later seen sporting the same inverted crest during the match
It is not the first time United’s women’s side have been caught out by kit errors. In 2021, defender Millie Turner was left unimpressed when, during an adidas kit launch, the suppliers mistakenly named her ‘Amy Turner’.
‘Considering I’ve been at Manchester United for three years and an adidas athlete for two... You’d like to think adidas would get my name right,’ she said at the time.
Adidas swiftly corrected the mistake and issued an apology, but not before Turner’s post went viral, drawing support from team-mates and former players alike. Former United player Jess Sigsworth commented: ‘Outstanding player, outstanding person and they still can’t get her name right. That would only happen to female players #MustDoBetter.’
That being said, the men’s team have not been immune to similar mishaps.
In 2023, Daily Mail Sport revealed that United’s men were forced to wear replica versions of their kit during matches after the official adidas designs proved too tight.
Earlier this year, winger Amad Diallo was photographed wearing training gear with the club’s crest printed upside down, prompting jokes that United had resorted to buying bootleg gear online.
United women's manager Marc Skinner pictured behind the correct version of the WCL badge
Earlier this year, winger Amad Diallo was photographed wearing training gear with the club’s crest printed upside down, prompting jokes that United had resorted to buying bootleg gear
The club later attributed it to nothing more than an ‘adidas misprint’.
Unlike their male counterparts, United’s women have started the season brightly.
They currently sit third in the WSL table, two points off leaders Chelsea, and are the highest-ranked English side in the Women’s Champions League standings in seventh place overall, ahead of Chelsea in tenth and Arsenal in thirteenth.
Next up for Ella Toone and Co is Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
