United, adidas in record kit launch

Manchester - The launch of Manchester United's new adidas home kit was the biggest in both the club's and the German sportswear manufacturer's history, the two companies announced on Friday.

The new strip, released on August 1, marked the start of a 10-year partnership worth £750 million to the Premier League giants, making it the biggest deal in sports licencing history.

In a joint statement, the companies said that United had witnessed a month's worth of forecasted sales within five days at their Old Trafford club shop and online store.

"Partnering with adidas, we had high expectations; quality innovative kit, superb marketing, world-beating distribution, a deep understanding of our history and our fans," said United managing director Richard Arnold.

"adidas have not broken those expectations, they have smashed them."

The companies claimed that "phenomenal demand across the globe" had made it "the biggest ever launch of replica".

United and adidas have since launched an away strip, featuring white shirts and black shorts, and will also launch a new third kit later this month.