A seemingly innocuous social media post from Manchester United has ignited a torrent of dissent from supporters.
The club uploaded an image of their star winger Amad Diallo from their Carrington training ground ahead of their Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday night.
But eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a major error in his attire and draw rather unflattering comparisons to the team’s plight on and off the field.
In the image, the Ivorian wore a training jacket which had the club crest printed upside down and prompted jokes that the Red Devils had resorted to acquiring their practice gear from online marketplaces or bootleg vendors.
‘If you want to realise the depths of broke we are, Amad Diallo is wearing a tracky top off DH Gate,’ one supporter wrote on X. ‘The club, and crest, is truly upside down.’
Another joked: ‘That’s the design.’ While a third said: ‘That is absolutely horrendous.’
Manchester United fans have mocked the club after Amad Diallo was pictured in a training top with the club’s crest upside down
The Red Devils’ European training ‘Tiro 24 Winterised Hybrid’ jacket retails on the club’s website for £75
One supporter drew comparisons between the blunder and the team’s plight on and off the pitch
United have explained the error as nothing more than an ‘Adidas misprint’ but many supporters have drawn very different conclusions amid the mounting issues at Old Trafford.
On the field, United sit 13th with 26 points from 22 games in the Premier League. Thursday’s post comes days after their 3-1 defeat by Brighton at home.
That loss reportedly led to Ruben Amorim smashing a TV and then claiming in his post-match press conference that his current team are ‘maybe the worst’ in the history of the club.
The Portuguese has since admitted that he regrets the comment but it was another clear indication of the angst currently gripping the club.
Unfortunately for those associated with the English football giant, their displays off the pitch in recent months have also left a lot to be desired.
Co-owners Ineos took their time to assemble a ‘best in class’ executive board that would better resemble those of their domestic and European rivals. But after a matter of months, sporting director Dan Ashworth, who the club paid millions to acquire and waited five months to welcome, departed.
His shock exit came amid sweeping cuts at the club. The latest set saw the salaries afforded to Manchester United legends, including Bryan Robson, Andy Cole and Denis Irwin, ‘significantly reduced’.
Club chiefs have embarked upon a review aimed at drastically reducing losses and freeing up funds to spend on the first team and on a potential new stadium.
Ruben Amorim said that he regrets saying that the current squad is ‘maybe the worst’ in the history of the club
The Red Devils fell to 13th in the Premier League after their 3-1 defeat by Brighton last weekend
In previous seasons United have posted losses totalling hundreds of millions, and such reductions are aimed at turning the business towards profitability.
All departments have been impacted. Mail Sport earlier revealed that United would make 250 staff redundant and were considering removing the £40,000 a year it provides to its disabled supporters’ association.
‘Let Jim cut costs in peace,’ wrote another Manchester United fan on X.
Another supporter said: ‘Disrespectful to have the badge upside down imo.’
The Red Devils’ European training jacket retails for £75 on the club’s website.
Amorim will be hopeful of returning attention to the playing roster on Thursday night when they welcome Rangers to Old Trafford. United can take a big step towards qualification for the last-16 with a victory.
