Man United badge design on ‘new third kit’ splits opinion as ‘strip for 2026/27 season leaked’

Manchester United are riding the crest of a wave under Michael Carrick and fans think they might’ve been treated to an early kit design reveal

Manchester United fans are split after a design purporting to be the club’s 2026/27 third strip was ‘leaked’ online. The cream-and-red-coloured kit features a central badge.

Following Ruben Amorim’s sacking, it’s unclear who will be United boss when the club rolls out their kits for the 2026/27 season. But interim manager Michael Carrick has strengthened his credentials with a perfect start to his second spell in charge at Old Trafford.

His side beat rivals Manchester City 2-0 in his first match in charge before travelling to Premier League leaders Arsenal and putting them to the sword 3-2 on Sunday. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha ensured Carrick’s side left the Emirates with all three points just weeks after the departure of Amorim.

This latest victory came as United’s players wore their current black-and-yellow third kit. But on the same day of this victory, an account on social media platform X uploaded a mock design of a kit that they claim will be United’s third strip next season. And fans were torn over a supposed centralised badge placement.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

An account on X claims that United’s third strip next season will be primarily cream with a red trim, not dissimilar to the current away kit. The similarities between the kits continue with the addition of the red devil badge.

This crest was also present on the 2023/24 third kit, which also draws similarities to the ‘leaked’ design for next year. This strip was coloured in cloud white and was the first time a kit had solely featured the red devil badge.

Supporters have had their say in the comments section of the post and some were rather complimentary of the badge design. One wrote: “I like the retro look with all the logos in the middle.”

Another penned: “Finally some nice kits.” A fourth fan lauded the design but not the placement of the badge and wrote: “Don’t hate it. I’m not a big fan of the kit manufacturer being on top of the badge but it’s fine I guess.”

However, some were not so impressed with what could be United’s third strip next season and where the badge has been placed. One commented: “That is surely a joke? It is disgusting.”

A second stated: “I don’t get the trend for shirts with all the badges down the middle.” Whilst a third claimed: “I think I would like it better if the logos were in a conventional layout.”

It’s still some time before fans get to see United players wear their 2026/27 kits. With Carrick’s second term beginning so successfully, supporters may hope to see it shown off in the Champions League.

However, Carrick is keeping a level head regarding European qualification, despite the win over Arsenal catapulting them above rivals Liverpool into the top four.

“I know from our perspective, it’s just moving forward to the next game,” said Carrick after the Arsenal victory. “It’s been less than two weeks we’ve been together. I don’t think we can look too far ahead.

“We certainly won’t be, anyway. I know that’s kind of obvious, but looking too far ahead can come back and bite you really. So we’ve taken this week by week and game by game. We’ll certainly continue to do that.”