The youth ranks at Manchester United were left embarrassed when their under-13 team had to take to the field wearing Everton kits in a match last month. The swap happened because United reportedly lacked enough shorts and socks for their own team. The incident has sparked criticism of the club’s current cost-cutting policies.
United : Shorts, Socks, and Shame
According to reporting in The Athletic, United’s under-13 players arrived to find that essential items (shorts and socks) were missing. With no spares available, the club made the decision—borrow from Everton. Suddenly, United’s academy stars were lining up in opposition club garb. The swap may seem small, but to those involved it felt like neglect.
Cuts at the Heart of the Manchester United Academy
The root of the issue appears to lie in the cost-saving measures being enforced under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership. Staff reductions have reportedly affected maintenance, operations, and overall support in the academy. Accounts of unclean toilets, unemptied bin bins, faded signage, and left machinery across the United training ground have emerged. These moments reveal the tension between financial tightening and preserving club standards.
The Ripple Effect Beyond U13s
This was not a one-off problem just for the youngest teams. In the women’s side, missing boots for Champions League qualifiers forced last-minute purchases in another country. Even routine matters like washing kits or maintaining facilities seem to be falling through cracks. The concern is not just embarrassment—it’s culture. When basic respect for youth teams slips, it may signal where values are heading.
Author’s Insight
This episode goes beyond a funny headline. It shines a light on how decisions in the boardroom echo through every level of a football club. Young players deserve better—even in cost cuts, dignity should not be the price. For Manchester United, repairing trust with the academy and showing they value their youngest stars is essential. If Ratcliffe’s regime allows such oversights, it risks undermining the future of the club as much as its present.
As featured on ManUNews.com
