Season 1950/51
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season
Home Kit
Change Kit
Home Kit
Change Kit
The Season in brief
At the end of the summer tour in the USA, United's penalty king Charlie Mitten defied Matt Busby and joined Sante Fe in Columbia. He returned to Manchester after completing his twelve month contract but was suspended by the F.A, shunned and subsequently sold by Busby.
United's long serving servant Louis Rocca died during the club's American tour. Rocca is best remembered as United's chief scout in the twenties and thirties, and for introducing Busby to James Gibson.
United made yet another faltering start to their title campaign, particularly away from home where they picked up just five points in their opening seven fixtures. Three defeats in as many matches, two of which were at Old Trafford over Christmas, effectively ended their hopes of the Championship.
They were beaten just once in the League in 1951 to claim the runners up spot for the fourth time in five seasons, finishing four points behind Tottenham Hotspur.
The side again reached the F.A. Cup quarter finals after victories at Old Trafford over Oldham Athletic, Leeds United and Arsenal. Drawn away for the first time they were beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City, for whom long term Busby target Johnny Berry was outstanding.
United's home and change kits were unchanged.
Heavy woollen green jerseys had been adopted almost universally by League clubs as the standard goalkeeper's kit. The only differences were to the material (coarser or finer, largely depending upon a club's financial state), and the depth of the polo neck.
We believe the change shirt, which was seldom used, would have been royal blue although the limitations of black and white photography make it impossible to accurately confirm the shirt's colour.