Season 1984/85
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season


The Season in brief

Norman Whiteside's curling shot past Neville Southall twenty minutes into extra time proved the decisive moment in the F.A. Cup Final against newly crowned Champions Everton. The game, hardly a classic, was spoilt by an over fussy referee who dismissed Kevin Moran, the first player sent off in an F.A. Cup Final. United's triumph capped another relatively successful season under Ron Atkinson.

The League Championship once again eluded United; although they remained amongst the leading clubs all season, their slim title hopes were finally ended by a 2-1 defeat on April 21st at Kenilworth Road. The season ended in a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Watford to leave the club fourth.

In the UEFA Cup United were involved in their first competitive penalty shoot out. Victories over Raba Vasas ETO Gyor, PSV Eindhoven and Dundee United had taken them into the quarter finals, and a tie against the Hungarian side Videoton. Frank Stapleton scored in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, but United lost the away leg by a similar score, and lost the penalty shoot out 5-4.

United had all new designs for the home, change and third kits. adidas enlarged and slightly redesigned the club crest to include a pair of three-stripe football boots to the scroll ends above the club's name.

The new kits were launched on August 21st 1984, which meant United had continued to use their 1983/84 kits for the pre-season games. adidas provided European versions of the home and change kits - 'UEFA Cup 1984-85' was embroidered on the shirt and the adidas logo moved from the sleeve to the main body.

Replica versions of these kits featured larger, embossed crests and adidas trefoil logos and were available with or without the embossed Sharp sponsors logos on the chest.