Season 1933/34
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season

Home Kit
Change kit from March 3rd 1934
unitedkits_kit_0470
unitedkits_number_0470
Change Kit
Home kit from March 3rd 1934
unitedkits_kit_0475
unitedkits_number_0475
Home Kit
unitedkits_gk_kit_0470
unitedkits_gk_number_0470
Change Kit
unitedkits_gk_kit_0475
unitedkits_gk_number_0475
 
The Season in brief

Duncan's transfer policy was to develop 'stars' rather than signing them. Ten players, were brought in during the close season, a balance of young, raw talent and experience, unfortunately the latter were generally no better than the players they replaced.

United struggled at the start of the season, but largely thanks to their form at Old Trafford, were able to maintain a mid table position through the autumn. Their form collapsed however and by the end of January they were in the bottom two, and out of the Cup, beaten 4-1 in a third round replay at First Division Portsmouth.

On the final day of the season United met Millwall at The Den, with the losers joining Lincoln in the Third Division. Millwall began the game the stronger, an early injury to United's Ernie Hine reducing him to a passenger on the left wing. Against the run of play Tommy Manley met a Cape cross to open the scoring. Laurie Fishlock wasted a good chanmce to level the scores befor eth interval. Two minutes after the break, Jackie Cape doubled United's lead. Millwall's resolve was broken and United were safe.

The players began to regard the hooped change kit as 'lucky', especially after they beat Burnley 4-1 at Turf Moor on February 3rd 1934. It was their first victory in eleven games. Minutes from a Board Meeting confirm the Director's decided to adopt this kit (described as "maroon and hoop") as the home kit and it was registered as such with the Football League. The 'lucky kit' was first worn as the official home kit for the match against Bury on March 3rd 1934 at Old Trafford. United won 2-1. The previous home kit was worn as the change kit.

We have been able to determine that United's goalkeepers wore a heavy woolen green jersey. Although we have been unable to discover any evidence of the goalkeeper's change shirt, we believe given the limited colour options available, it was probably royal blue.