The end of an era, as Sharp's shirt sponsorship deal expired. For the 2000-01 season, Umbro's new Sportswool kit was supposed to reduce body heat although in reality it seemed to collect sweat rather easily. Highly criticised by fans for the huge Vodaphone logo which was bigger than the United badge , the heavy material and the fact it always got damaged in the wash. Everybody still went out and bought it in record numbers nonetheless. A sign of United's popularity rather than the kit design probably. Worn with white shorts and black socks for domestic games, white socks in Europe.
The return to United's traditional change strip of white made this kit a popular choice on the terraces. The club crest was printed in black. Like the home kit, it was made from Umbro's new Sportswool fabric which didn't age well with wear. Worn with white or black shorts and socks...
The classy 2000-01 season dark blue and dark red third kit was originally a training kit. The club crest was printed in white, whilst the material was the same breathable mix of polyester and wool as the home kit. It was worn with white or blue shorts and red or blue socks at Southampton and PSV Eindhoven. A very rare kit that most fans probably didn't even realise existed!
In 2001, much publicity was given to the fantastic reversible white or gold away kit to celebrate 100 years of playing under the name Manchester United. Two kits in one, United wore the white kit as first choice away kit and the gold as their second. Both were worn with black shorts and black socks. This was also to be the last United kit from Manchester sportswear firm, Umbro.
Following their £100 million sponsorship deal, the first United kit to be made by US sports giant Nike didn't disappoint. Classic red, white and black, the material was lightweight and stretchy with an inner mesh lining which went on to cause trouble for Diego Forlan as he struggled to get it back on after scoring. Aware of the media frenzy that went with Manchester United kit changes, Nike added a Life Span Label to the inside of the jersey stating (Launch Date 01/06/2002 life span: May 2004).
The 2002 away kit from Nike was just as impressive as the home strip. A white jersey with black shorts and white socks, it will probably be best remembered for Ruud van Nistelrooy's amazing goal against FC Basle. Unfortuantely it was also the kit in which United lost the Worthington Cup Final to the scousers (Launch date June 2002. Expires May 2003).
The popular Nike Manchester United 2002-03 third kit featured the Vodaphone name in silver. Blue shirt, blue shorts, blue socks. Great stuff. (Launch date June 2002. Expires May 2003).
The new 2003-05 Manchester United third kit was released far sooner than Nike had planned. The cancelled launch of the black away kit meant that this unpopular white kit was rushed off the shelves earlier than expected, amid massive media controversy. A copy of Barcelona's away shirt, the thin horizontal black and red stripes seem to ruin what could have otherwise been a perfectly good plain white strip. Worn by United in their successful FA Cup Semi-Final triumph over Arsenal in May 2004 with white shorts and socks. (Launch date earlier than expected in June 2003. Expired May 2005).
The new 2003-05 Manchester United away kit saw a return to the classy all black colours after the players had voted the 1993 away kit as their favourite of all time. A 'watermarked' flower pattern adds a nice touch to the jersey. Worn with black shorts and socks. The launch of the strip was controversial, with thousands of kits being recalled by Nike on the last minute due to a design fault. The third kit was quickly released instead ahead of schedule (see above) with the black away kit following slightly later. (Launch eventually in 2003. Expired May 2005).
In an era where the sponsor's logo dominates, the 2004-06 Manchester United home shirt, designed by Nike, wasn't a popular one with fans. Taking their uniform Ole 90 design, as worn by most nations at Euro 2004, Nike applied it to their best-selling top. As with all the Nike Euro 2004 jerseys, the club crest was centrally located below the neck. Unfortunately however, unlike the classic 1985 Man Utd home shirt, it doesn't look right and is dwarfed by the larger Vodaphone logo. Sales were also down on previous years with United's lack of success on the field and David Beckham moving to Real Madrid, who as a result overtook United in shirt sales. Nonetheless, it's still a classy kit and sold in large numbers. (Launch 15 July 2004. Expired July 2006).
The Manchester United home goalkeeper shirt, or the new 'Man U Tim Howard jersey' as it will probably be better known in America, could possibly be the best selling keeper top of all time thanks to the massive popularity of United and T-Ho in the USA. Worn as an alternative to the green shirt which replaced it in 2005 as first choice. (Launch date 15th July 2004 - Expired July 2006).
Hardly ever seen, this change goalkeeper jersey was worn by Roy Carroll and Tim Howard when the first choice black keeper shirt clashed with the referee or the opposition. (Launch date 15th July 2004 - Expired July 2006).
The controversy that surrounded the launch of the 2005 Manchester United away shirt had little to do with the Nike designed kit itself but more to do with the massively opposed takeover of the club by American billionaire, Malcolm Glazer. Fans groups were angry that the US tycoon had used rather dodgy borrowing techniques to plunge the world's richest club into record levels of debt. Financial experts and some (later sacked) United directors questioned the Glazer's business plan and predicted it would be inevitable that Manchester United would fall into financial difficulties. It was for this reason that fans groups urged all United fans to boycott this shirt (and any other official Manchester United merchandise) in an attempt to oust the new owner early. (Launch 1 Aug 2005. Expired one year early in July 2006).
sumber :http://www.indomanutd.org/showthread.php?t=330
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