Manchester United have launched a stellar line of retro-inspired fashion - and legendary Irish full-back Denis Irwin has been enlisted as one of the lead models for the campaign.
The new line of gear from United is inspired by the kit of the 1988-90 period, and the accompanying line of fanwear is inspired by the attire of the supporters at Old Trafford during that period, as the club fought for the first trophy of the Alex Ferguson era.
Alongside current players like Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, some club legends have been enlisted to launch the new apparel. Among them are Ferguson himself, Lee Sharpe, and our very own Denis Irwin.
Irwin looks the part in the promo material - though some have drawn a hilarious comparison with an iconic scene from Father Ted.
Denis Irwin front and centre of Manchester United's retro kit promo
Manchester United have launched a new line of retro apparel for their supporters inspired by their late-80s look and, we have to say, it's a brilliant collection of kit.
These designs take you right back to the heyday of Manchester United in the European Cup and Champions League under Alex Ferguson.
The highlight is the re-issue of the iconic blue away kit worn during the two seasons between 1988 and 1990, with the fan-favourite being recreated perfectly by adidas, including the famous SHARP sponsorship.
The club released a promo video narrated by Alex Ferguson showing a group of United supporters boarding a fans' bus - with Denis Irwin brilliantly telling one of them to show "a bit of respect" after putting their feet up on the bus.
🫶 An iconic design reborn with @adidasOriginals.
Capturing the United spirit with a modern day classic 🔵#MUFC || @adidasFootball— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2023
Current player Lisandro Martinez also stars, modelling the re-issued blue kit, while Irwin's former teammate Lee Sharpe is seated beside him on the bus.
Sharpe would later share a photo to his Twitter account of himself and Irwin modelling some of the new gear, with Irwin modelling a sideline jacket reminiscent of those worn by Alex Ferguson in the late '80s.
You can't beat a bit of retro ✌️@adidasoriginals@ManUtd#paidpartnership pic.twitter.com/64Z0B6LkXB
— Lee Sharpe (@Sharpeyofficial) May 15, 2023
The photo had Manchester United and football fans nostalgic for the early days of Ferguson's reign - but Sharpe's photo drew a hilarious comparison with one of the most famous episodes of Father Ted.
One fan replied with a photo of Fathers Ted and Dougal in preparation for the All Priests Over-75's Five-a-Side Indoor Football challenge match against Rugged Island, noting the similarities with the photo of Sharpe and Irwin.
I love both of you but the photo reminds me of this ! pic.twitter.com/tKoj6IC5PV
— Barry Leavy (@BarryLeavy) May 15, 2023
The line of fashion from adidas also takes inspiration from the early-1990s at United - explaining why Irwin (who only joined the club in the summer of 1990) was enlisted to help launch the collection.
We'd love to see similar collections launched for some of the Premier League's biggest clubs, especially if they're done as well as adidas' latest Manchester United effort.
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