After months of speculation over which manufacturer would takeover designing the Man Utd football kit after the 2014 2015 season, a new deal was finally announced with Adidas last month. Nike has been the kit supplier since 2002, but decided to part-company with Manchester United on the grounds that the terms offered did not represent good value for the company or its shareholders.
The Adidas deal was agreed in the same week that the brand new Nike home football shirt went on sale. This week the Manchester United away jersey 2014 2015 has arrived at Soccer Box with the third jersey to follow. The away football kit includes a sleek white shirt with black turn down collar, and features a large Chevrolet sponsor logo on the front.
Highs and LowsÂ
This past year has seen Manchester United draw in big money deals despite their lack of performance. For years Man Utd has been the pinnacle of English football, well known around the globe as a winning team. Since the introduction of the Premier League in 1992 Manchester United has clocked up no less than 13 league titles, in 2013 they celebrated their 20th top-flight win of all time.
The Man Utd football kit has been in demand around the globe, however, when Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012 2013 campaign the winning ways of the team collapsed. Under the guidance of David Moyes last season Manchester United only managed a 7th place finish, their worst ever in the Premier League.
Louis van Gaal has been bought in as a replacement and the demands on him from fans, the club and sponsors are increasing infinitely. By the time Moyes was relieved of his position the fans, accustomed to always winning, were becoming extremely disgruntled. The demands are high and to date Louis van Gaal seems to be having a strong start.
Before debuting the brand new home kit, and the Manchester United away jersey 2014 2015 at the start of the Premier League season the squad is currently in the midst of an American pre-season tour. Also known as the International Champions Cup this series of friendly games increases the clubs exposure and marketing across the Atlantic.
Louis van Gaal has publically criticized the summer schedule as excessive and draining due to the amount of miles the squad will travel. However, it is a vital opportunity for Van Gaal to assess his team and mould them into his way of thinking and playing before the Premier League kicks off on 16th August.
Louis van Gaal's endeavors so far seem to be paying off. Manchester United is yet to lose a match under his watchful eye. Man Utd has beat Roma, then Inter Milan on penalties so far in the International Champions Cup. The Manchester United football kit will next appear on Saturday at the Michigan Stadium to face Real Madrid. It is expected that a staggering 109,000 spectators will fill the stadium for the friendly match; another must win for Louis van Gaal.
The Expectations of Adidas
As if pressure from the club's owners the Glazer family, the shareholders and of course the fans wasn't enough this week new demands from kit manufacturer Adidas have been revealed. The new deal to manufacturer the Man Utd football kit is staggering, particularly considering last season's poor performance. Adidas has agreed to pay £75 million per year for the privilege of putting their logo on the team's football kit and merchandise. This equates to £750 million over the 10-year contract.
However, it has emerged that this deal does no come without its own terms and conditions. Last seasons poor performance means that the latest Manchester United away jersey 2014 2015, or indeed the popular home football kit, will not make an appearance in prestigious European competition this season. If Man Utd fails to qualify for the Champions League next season, and for consecutive seasons thereafter the value of the deal could be reduced by up to one third. This means that finishing 4th or higher is a must.
Other terms include the right to rescind the contract with a 12-month termination notice in the unlikely event that Manchester United is relegated from the Premier League. However, should Louis van Gaal succeed in driving the team to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup Adidas will increase the value of the deal by up to another £4 million per year.
It seems that winning the triple will be far from the mind of Louis van Gaal at present, however, the necessary 4th place Premier League finish is sure to be at the forefront. In past seasons it would have been unthinkable for Man Utd not to occupy one of those top spots. Strong competition from Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, last seasons top 4, is likely to make Louis van Gaal's job all the more difficult.
If you have faith in the team and manager now is the time to shop for the brand new Man Utd football kit.