Man Utd launch new third kit inspired by 1990s classic

Manchester United have launched their new adidas blue and black third kit for the 2021/22 season, paying tribute to the iconic black away kit worn during the 1993/94 double winning campaign.

That season, with stars like Eric Cantona, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and more, United retained their Premier League title and completed a first ever league and FA Cup double in the club’s history.

Although the original kit was mostly black with blue and yellow trim, the blue and black hues on the 2021/22 jersey make for a more modern look, complemented by yellow accents.

With trophies such a huge part of United’s history, the message behind the new kit is inspired by the winning mentality and philosophy instilled at Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson and the legendary former boss takes pride of place in an official launch video.

New signing Jadon Sancho also features prominently in the release campaign, alongside Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, modelling the new kit alongside women’s team players like Katie Zelem, Millie Turner and Kirsty Smith.

All three new United kits this season have major throwback vibes. The red home shirt featuring a white round neck and sleeve cuffs is inspired by the jerseys worn in the 1960s when George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were three of the best players in the world.

The light blue and white away kit, meanwhile, is a nod to the cult classic United change strip used between 1990 and 1992, just before the start of the Premier League era.

The new Manchester United third kit is available now from adidas.com and United Direct.

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Romelu Lukaku left ‘devastated’ by Antonio Conte departure

Romelu Lukaku was left devastated by Antonio Conte’s decision to leave Inter and at that point he was more than open to leave the club, 90min can reveal.

Lukaku helped Inter to their first Scudetto in more than a decade as his 24 goals helped end Juventus’ run of nine successive Serie A titles.

The Belgian forward formed a devastating partnership with Lautaro Martinez, collectively known as ‘LuLa’, and was more than happy with life at San Siro. But the end of May, having secured the title, Conte departed as manager amid mounting concerns about the financial instability of the club.

Conte had arrived at Inter in 2019 and immediately sought out Lukaku as one of his priority targets. He was able to clinch his signing from Manchester United, having missed out on him during his time as Chelsea boss.

The Italian believed Lukaku was key to his plans and that is how things panned out; the 28-year-old resurrecting his career in Milan to become one of Europe’s most feared strikers.

However, in the background, debt was piling up at Inter, and the club’s Chinese-based ownership confirmed to Conte that instead of being backed to mount a title defence with new signings, sales were inevitable.

Conte departed and soon after Achraf Hakimi joined PSG in a deal worth around €60m – but that was always unlikely to be the only mega-money exit.

Inter always knew of, and anticipated, Roman Abramovich’s interest in signing Lukaku, which led the player to confirm he was happy to stay – but as the Belgian would point out, it was down to the club whether they would accept an offer.

Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro MartinezRomelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez

Lukaku formed a devastating partnership with Lautaro Martinez / Mattia Ozbot/Soccrates/Getty Images)

However, while Lukaku wouldn’t have actively pushed for a move, sources close to the deal have explained that once Conte left it was “almost inevitable” that he would leave given Chelsea’s strong interest.

“Conte leaving was devastating to Romelu, to the club as a whole, and once that happened it was almost inevitable that he would go,” the source explained. “He never demanded a move, and never would of but once Chelsea confirmed their interest it was always going to happen. There is unfinished business for him and the club.”

Lukaku’s £97.5m return to Stamford Bridge is expected to be finalised imminently, taking him back to West London seven years after he left to join Everton.

Thomas Tuchel explains Edouard Mendy-Kepa Arrizabalaga substitution in Super Cup victory

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed his substitution of Edouard Mendy for Kepa Arrizabalaga before the penalty shootout victory against Villarreal was planned.

Mendy started the fixture and played well, making four saves, but he was hooked a minute before extra time finished for Kepa with spot kicks in mind.

The gamble paid off as Kepa saved efforts from Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol, giving the Blues their second Super Cup triumph. Speaking after the victory, Tuchel explained he and his backroom team had been over the data to see which goalie would be better equipped in penalty shootouts.

He told BT Sport as quoted by BBC Sport: “It was not spontaneous. We talked about it with the goalkeepers after the first cup game against Barnsley. We had some statistics. We were well prepared.

“Kepa has the best percentage at saving penalties, the analysing guys and goalkeeping coaches showed me the data. We spoke to the players that this could happen when we play in knockout games. It’s fantastic how Edouard accepted it.

“There is proof that Kepa is better in this discipline. They’re team players. Edouard does not show the pride to not step off the field. He was happy to do it for the team and take this for the team.”

Kepa added: “It’s not a typical situation but we arrived to penalties after Edouard did a fantastic job. Finally we won and we are so happy.

“I was ready because I knew this could happen. I tried to be ready mentally and physically.”

Mendy also said: “I’m happy because we won. I knew since last year that if Kepa came on the pitch he would help the team.

“It’s a team effort. We play for Chelsea and for success. We did this today together.”

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Twitter reacts as Chelsea win UEFA Super Cup on penalties

After a couple of failed attempts, Chelsea have finally won the UEFA Super Cup in the 21st century.

What a way to seal it too, with Kepa Arrizabalaga coming off the bench in extra time to be the hero in the penalty shootout.

Before all that excitement, the announcement of Chelsea’s starting XI was an early talking point on social media. People were surprised to see Kurt Zouma and Trevor Chalobah handed starts, but with several players’ pre-season being disrupted by international tournaments, the move made sense.

Chalobah was not the only Chelsea player celebrating a personal moment either. In the absence of Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante was handed the captain’s armband.

He therefore had the honours of placing the Champions League trophy on a massive plinth. Kante was clearly enjoying himself early on, even going close with a long-ranged effort.

Chelsea started the game strongly and just before the half hour mark they took a deserved lead.

The move started with Marcos Alonso, who picked out Kai Havertz with a probing through ball. Havertz then put one on a plate for Hakim Ziyech to sweep home.

Ecstasy then turned to agony for Ziyech as he was forced off with a shoulder injury. It was a bitter blow for the forward, who has been electric in pre-season.

Just before the break Villarreal gave Chelsea a real scare when Alberto Moreno hammered an effort against the bar.

This would set the tone for the second half with the Blues’ complacency and a string of sloppy errors gifting VIllarreal several good chances.

Eventually, Chelsea’s luck run out with Gerard Moreno scoring a deserved equaliser.

One Marcos Alonso effort aside, Villarreal looked the most likely to score a winner, but in the end neither side broke the deadlock.

This meant the game went to extra time, something that was not universally popular with social media.

Unsurprisingly, extra time was completely pointless – simply delaying the inevitable of a penalty shootout.

The only highlight of the additional period was when Thomas Tuchel decided to bring Kepa Arrizabalaga on for the spot kicks.

Well, it makes a change from him refusing to come off for penalties.

The shootout was full of twists of turns. After ten spot kicks – and a Kepa yellow card – the scores were level at 4-4. Christian Pulisic and Juan Foyth then converted in the first round of sudden death.

Antonio Rudiger scored in the next round, which meant Raul Albiol had to net to keep his side in the tie. The veteran did not manage it with Kepa saving down to his left, justifying Tuchel’s decision to stick him in goal.

The Spaniard looked delighted, which is understandable considering the tough year he’s had. He was the hero in Belfast, though, confirming Chelsea’s status as being slightly better than the team that won the Europa League last season. What. A. Final.

Chelsea’s contrasting performance in UEFA Super Cup will frustrate Thomas Tuchel

With a few seconds left to play in the first half of the 2021 UEFA Super Cup, Alberto Moreno hammered a volley against the underside of the bar.

Luckily for Chelsea, and unluckily for Moreno, it bounced safely away from the goal line. In the Blues’ defence, they had probably earned that rub of the green, playing their opponents off the park during the opening 45 minutes.

Alberto MorenoAlberto Moreno

Moreno so nearly scored a stunner / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

However, Moreno’s thunderous wake-up call did not have the expected effect on Thomas Tuchel’s side. Instead of sharpening them up, Chelsea let the final slip away from them in the second half, putting in a pitiful display that lacked intensity and intelligence. It was quite the turnaround – and not in a good way.

In the opening 45 minutes the Blues looked good value for their label of European champions. This was Tuchel-ball at its best. The three centre-backs – including debutant Trevor Chalobah – looked effortlessly comfortable in possession and were striding into midfield with a mid-season confidence. 

N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic were functioning well in midfield too. Kante even treated us to his one long shot of the season, which forced Sergio Asenjo into action early on.

As is often the case with Tuchel’s Chelsea, though, the most viewing pleasure could be found while marvelling at the connection between the Blues’ wing-backs and double ‘number tens’. As long as Marcos Alonso does not have to defend he can be an effective operator and he had plenty of joy combining with the devilishly intelligent Kai Havertz in the first half.

This is where the opening goal came from. Alonso picked out Havertz with a well-weighted through ball, crossing for Hakim Ziyech to sweep home just before the half hour mark. The lead was well deserved. The only thing that took the gloss off Chelsea’s first half display – Moreno woodwork smasher aside – was Ziyech picking up a freak shoulder injury that seems likely to derail the progress he has made during an impressive pre-season.

During the first period the Blues enjoyed the better chances, registered 68% possession and dominated all the defensive metrics.

Why, then, did Chelsea cede control so easily as soon as the second half got underway?

It was bizarre to witness. Edouard Mendy – who did well overall – made not one but two uncharacteristic errors before most of the travelling Blues faithful had returned to their seats with a half time Bovril – or vegetarian alternative.

One such error nearly saw Gerard Moreno equalise, with the free-scoring frontman slamming his effort against the post.

Eventually, after Villarreal had knocked on Chelsea’s door like they were the best decorated house on the street on Halloween, Moreno did find the net – condemning Tuchel’s side to the indignity of extra time just days before the start of their Premier League campaign. 

At least Kepa Arrizabalaga’s penalty heroics meant Chelsea left Belfast with an iconic moment and a piece of silverware to boot. Looking at things without passion, though, it is difficult to view the Super Cup as anything other than an unnecessarily draining occasion of the Blues’ own making.

With so many players not yet up to speed, that extra time ordeal could come back to bite them when a newly-energetic Crystal Palace come to town on Saturday.

These problems could have been avoided if Chelsea had come anywhere close to matching their first half intensity after the break in Belfast and Tuchel will be extremely frustrated that they could not get the job done earlier.