During their summer tour in Japan the current Premier League Champions Manchester United have launched their brand new away kit.  Striker Danny Welbeck was chosen as the face of the advertising campaign, he is seen wearing the full strip whilst celebrating scoring a goal, set against a background of red coloured smoke, the image looks dramatic and exciting just like the navy and black colour scheme chosen for this seasons second choice strip.  The round neck design features large gingham checks reminiscent of last seasons home shirt, the gingham is representative of the clubs fascinating industrial heritage.  In Manchester in the 18th century there were many cotton mills, the industry was booming and the main output was gingham check fabric.  The Nike logo, club crest and AON sponsor are all simply designed in white, ensuring the strip looks elegant and stylish, another great addition alongside the already released home strip.  It is reported that the kit will first be exhibited in the Premier League during the clubs away match at Anfield against Liverpool on 1st September.

As with the rest of United's clothing range of football shirts, shorts, socks and training wear this kit has been manufactured by Nike.  Over recent years the American sportswear giant Nike, as an environmentally responsible company have been working tirelessly, to create an environmentally friendly fabric. For the last couple of seasons we have seen the introduction of their football strips made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, each set of shirts, shorts and socks is made using no more than thirteen bottles. According to Nike this years design is even more technologically evolved, they say each one 'weighs no more than 150 grams', this is '23% lighter than previous years', they also state that the knit structure is 20% stronger producing a more moveable fabric.  The Premier League champions are coming to the end of their current Nike deal, the thirteen year deal worth £25.4m per year is due to end at the end of the 2014/15 season, however there is already much speculation as to whether Nike will continue as their manufacturer or if another company will make them an irresistible offer.  They will definitely be looking to better Arsenals recent deal with Puma that is worth £30m a year, and there are rumours that Warrior the manufacturer for Liverpool have already shown an interest in signing a deal.

Manchester United are one of the biggest and most popular football clubs in the world, recent statistics from Nike confirm that they top the table for their biggest selling shirt, they have sold 1.4m per season over the last five years.  Since the introduction of printed names and numbers for players this has been a popular addition to individually customise replica shirts, recently it was reported that Robin Van Persie is the most popular printed name, and it is sure to be seen frequently adorning the new Manchester United Away Kit.   With their new manager David Moyes the team will be looking to prove themselves and bring home more silverware to add to their already impressive list of honours and achievements.

What do you think of the new away shirt?

Do you think the team will be as successful without Sir Alex Ferguson?

You can get ready for the start of the new Premier League season by ordering your Manchester United Away Kit today.