Manchester United 95/96 • Away Shirt • XL

Team: Manchester United

Season: 95/96

Brand: Umbro

Size: XL

Kit: Away

Condition: 8/10 (small stain on the lower back, see photos for details, otherwise very good except a few small pulls/bobbles due to age)

Players: Cantona, Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Neville, Keane, Cole, Sharpe

Story of the shirt:

One of the most infamous shirts in football history, this spectacular design was released by Manchester United as their away kit for the 95/96 season. Having worn the shirt only four times (and failing to win once), the Red Devils arrived at Southampton in April 1996 in need of points to keep up with fellow title contenders Newcastle. Their first half performance in the grey shirt was abysmal, going in at the break 3-0 down thanks to a Matt Le Tissier-inspired Southampton side. After taking advice from the kit man and – according to Gary Neville's account – a recently hired 'vision specialist', Sir Alex Ferguson demanded his players switch kits to their third strip, saying "The players couldn't pick each other out....they said it was difficult to see their team-mates at distance when they lifted their heads." One of the best excuses ever attempted, it failed to help that particular day as United lost 3-1 and were fined £10,000 by The FA for switching kits at half time. However they went on to have the last laugh by lifting the Premier League trophy, with Fergie quoted as saying it was the 'best £10,000 I've ever spent". And guess what: the shirt was never worn again.