Manchester United supporters think they’ve found an underlying message in Wednesday morning’s away kit announcement.
On the surface, it just seemed like the Old Trafford club was letting its fans know that the new away jersey for the 2017/18 season was available for purchase online.
But while the announcement explained the thinking behind the rather unusual design, suggesting it was a throwback to the United’s shirt of choice in the early 1990s, fans read quite a bit into the picture chosen by United’s social media team.
Two of the Red Devils’ high-profile signings from last summer, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, were placed on the left of the image while Ander Herrera, arguably United’s player of the season, takes his place on the right.
Inspired by 92.
Made for the spotlight.
Our 2017/18 @adidasfootball away kit.
Available now: https://t.co/UScEOgUygN#HereToCreate #MUFC pic.twitter.com/pfxdY2Oosa— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 10, 2017
The remaining spot was left for goalkeeper David De Gea to fill.
Talk has been rife, in what has become an annual tradition, that De Gea is destined to join Real Madrid this summer and there have been suggestions that Atletico Madrid stopper, Jan Oblak, will move to Old Trafford to become Jose Mourinho’s number one in De Gea’s place.
Just in case De Gea leaves https://t.co/GLOqLTSbQe
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) May 4, 2017
But surely United wouldn’t have included a player in their kit announcement photo if he was set to leave the club in a matter of weeks, right?
RIGHT????
Well that’s the hope that this group of United fans are desperately clinging on to anyway.
@ManUtd @adidasfootball DDG in next season kit promo . He’s staying!
— InIvanWeTrust (@WestTIgers4lyf) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball @D_DeGea isn’t leaving. ???
— Anish (@AnishNet) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball DDG there?
— Sidhesh Raut (@Sid10_MUFC) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball does this mean DDG is staying next season ??
— benoît (@BurnEdict) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball De gea in the new shirt photo ! We have hope!! He’s staying ???
— Adam (@AdamWalshh) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball Does this means DDG is staying
— Hareshpatel (@patelharesh111) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball De Gea isn’t going anywhere ????
— Rojo Is Red ?? (@MagicalMarcos) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball Is that confirmation that DDG is staying ☺️?
— MCell (@cellLdn) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball #DaveStays
— Jonny Crowther (@JonnyLadMUFC) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball So good to see @D_DeGea in this! #pleasestay
— Clare Townsend (@ClareTownsend) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball Okay De Gea is Staying. ??????
— Labo De Gaga (@Labo12345) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball The cat isn’t leaving then @D_DeGea
— Kelvin Olasupo (@KelvzEmm) May 10, 2017
@ManUtd @adidasfootball De Gea confirmed staying
— ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (@pacob_jerez) May 10, 2017
