Former English Premier League champions Manchester United have banned the production of jerseys featuring three iconic former stars Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Eric Cantona. Until now, United jerseys printed with the names of these stars were in high demand among fans. But the club’s sudden announcement of the ban has sparked a debate.
Manchester United unveiled their away kit for the 2025-26 season earlier this month. The club’s fans were thrilled to get their hands on the new kit. Simon Lloyd, a fan, went to United’s mega store to pick up a new kit. There, he noticed the club’s ban on shirts bearing the names of three stars.
In the notice, the Old Trafford club says in point number four of the ‘shirt printing policy’, ‘Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to print Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo jerseys.’ Explaining such a sudden directive, United authorities told the media ‘The Sun’ that the three icons Cantona-Beckham-Ronaldo have their own image rights. This means the club will not be able to keep jerseys printed with their names in the mega store.
In addition, the club has confirmed that only this season’s jerseys will be available at the megastore. Apart from this, fans will not be able to get any old fonts used in the past. Old Trafford fans are surprised by this new directive. They have been criticizing the club’s decision on social media. Until now, fans could buy jerseys with the names of the three former stars if they wanted. Although all three have ended their United chapter long ago.
Cantona was a popular face of Premier League football in the 1990s. He helped United win their fourth league title in 1992. Beckham, who came through the club’s youth academy, won six league titles with the first team and was a key member of the treble-winning team in 1999. On the other hand, Old Trafford played a major role in the rise of Portuguese superstar Ronaldo. During his time at the club, Ronaldo won three league titles and the Champions League, as well as the Ballon d’Or in 2008.
FAQ
Why did Manchester United ban the printing of Ronaldo, Beckham, and Cantona jerseys?
The club cited image rights licensing restrictions as the main reason. They are legally unable to print jerseys featuring these players’ names due to separate ownership of their personal branding rights.
Does this ban apply to all Manchester United shirts?
Yes, the restriction applies to all shirts sold through official Manchester United retail channels, including the new 2025–26 kit and older styles.
Can I still get custom shirts with their names from unofficial stores?
While unofficial vendors may still offer such custom prints, they do so without Manchester United’s authorization and may violate licensing agreements.
Is the ban permanent or just for this season?
The club has not confirmed whether the restriction is temporary or permanent. It currently applies to the 2025–26 season jerseys.
