Manchester United launched their new Adidas away kit in Melbourne's Federation Square, with players past and present taking to the stage.
Around 3,000 fans turned out to see United stars Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay unveil the new strip. United legends Bryan Robson and Andy Cole were also at the launch, along with former kit man Albert Morgan, the event proving a raucous affair, with fans screaming and shouting at their heroes throughout.
The stage was turned into a replica of a dressing-room, complete with kit, boots, footballs and drinks bottles, with the whole set upside down, to depict United 'down under' in Australia. The players were brought on stage individually, with each one given a big build-up and introduction by the excitable compere, Australian TV presenter and former rugby league player Beau Ryan.
Rashford was first up, followed by Sancho, who got to the side of the stage but then turned around sheepishly when the compere announced to the frenzied crowd that Fernandes was next out. Sancho eventually made it out onto the stage, with the players taking part in a Q&A session before a countdown to the new strip, which they revealed by taking off their tracksuit tops.
The new away strip takes inspiration from United's classic white kit, combined with red and black Adidas three stripes and a v-neck with geometric shapes. Weaved into the fabric of the shirt, the helix pattern represents the three pillars of the club’s philosophy: youth, courage and success.
One fan asked McTominay what his favourite fixture was and, when the midfielder said Liverpool, another supporter shouted “f*** Liverpool”, which sent the players and crowd into fits of laughter.
The players took a two-stop, 12-minute tram ride from their Melbourne base, the five-star W Hotel, with a camera crew, club staff and security guards, all the way to Federation Square. The tram car was decked out in United's traditional colours of red, white and black.
It emerged that, on the way to the event, Rashford and Sancho admitted to being nervous about speaking on stage in front of the huge crowd, and implored host Ryan to ask them as few questions as possible.
Ryan developed a good rapport with United's players, but risked that when he jokingly asked them how they had managed to concede in the previous night's 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory at the MCG, although they were all able to smile at the good-natured jibe.
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Across Melbourne, in the Docklands area of the city, United skipper Harry Maguire and other players including Anthony Martial, attended a supporters' event, where they took part in a Q&A session for around 30 fans.
United's players took part in an intense two-and-a-half hour training session on Saturday morning, despite having played the night before in a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory.
Sunday is a much-needed day off for United boss Erik ten hag, his players and staff, with some going to watch rugby league and Aussie rules football matches, with others free to do as they choose.
