THE VITALS:

Team: Manchester United

Brand: Nike

Era: 2013-14 (Used for the 2013 FA Community Shield Match and the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season)

Name/Number: Best #7

CONDITION: EXCELLENT

This article remains in truly excellent condition with the material displaying very little sign of wear and all of the applications are in fantastic order also! 

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Large

Pit to Pit Measurement: 20 inches

Shirt Length: 28.5 inches

Made by Nike in their ‘Dri-Fit’ mould which they introduced in 2013; this shirt provides fine measurements for a size large fitting football shirt!

DESCRIPTION:

The 9^th and penultimate Manchester United home shirt made by Nike would draw influence from the clubs wonderful history as the 2013-14 season home shirt echoed memories of the legendary 1994-96 home shirt! This shirt would also be significant as it was the first shirt the team wore following David Moyes’ appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor in the Old Trafford hot-seat! The stand out feature of this shirt was no doubt the black band style collar as the red of the shirt stood as one block of rich red. AON would feature as the main shirt sponsor for the fourth and final season as they were set to be replaced by Chevrolet.This would also be the last United shirt to be worn by club legends: Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs as they all sought new adventures ahead of the 2014-15 season!

THE SEASON:

The unthinkable was now a reality that Manchester United would have to prepare for as Sir Alex Ferguson retired from the managerial post.  His hand-chosen successor was David Moyes, was brought in from Everton after his fine tenure in charge of the Merseyside club, however, a botched summer transfer window was a sign of things to come in the maiden season of the new era. After a summer that saw many of Europe’s most sought after talents linked with the club; Marouane Fellaini would be the club’s most significant signing after he was signed from Everton for £27.5 million on Transfer Deadline day.

The Moyes-era began with a comprehensive with a pair of comprehensive wins; firstly in defeating Wigan Athletic 2-0 to win the Community Shield, before putting 4 past Swansea on the opening day of the season. This would be arguably the highest point of Moyes’ tenure, as the club would sit no higher than 5^th at any point following Match-Day 2. The title defence was likely surrendered well before their surge of 6 wins in 8 during December 2013 and January 2014, however, by mid-February; finishing in the top 4 was an all but lost cause too; meaning that United were on course for their worst ever finish in the Premier League era.

Despite breaking the club’s record transfer fee to sign Juan Mata from Chelsea in January 2014; the team’s form would diminish significantly and it was Moyes who paid the price as he was relieved of his duties on April 22^nd; ironically, 2 days after being beaten his old club – Everton. Ryan Giggs took over 1^st team duties as the club’s interim player-manager, and he would see the team over the line to a 7^th place finish.

As mentioned earlier, Manchester United won the FA Community Shield for a record 16^th time when they beat Wigan 2-0 at Wembley Stadium! United would also reach the semi-final of the Capital One Cup before being upset on penalties by Sunderland. Their UEFA Champions League campaign was also memorable as they blew all asunder in the Group Stage, before a memorable Last 16 against Olympiacos saw them overturn a 2-0 1^st Leg deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate, and their participation would culminate in a Quarter Final exit against defending champions – Bayern Munich.

With Louis Van Gaal announced as the club’s new boss ahead of the 2014-15 season; this season of transition would also be the last for: Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as well as the aforementioned Giggs, who would continue his managerial apprenticeship as ‘LVG’s assistant manager.          

The notable players that season were:

Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck, Nani, Antonio Valencia, Adnan Januzaj, Ryan Giggs, Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Shinji Kagawa, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Rafael, Phil Jones, David De Gea