A surprising policy has come to light at Manchester United’s club store, leaving fans puzzled over the printing of three legendary names on replica shirts.
Supporters hoping to get their hands on the new 2025–26 kit were disappointed to learn that the names of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Eric Cantona are unavailable for shirt customisation due to licensing issues.
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United recently unveiled their home and away kits for the upcoming season, sparking excitement among fans.
One supporter, Simon Lloyd, noticed a disclaimer displayed on a monitor at the club’s Megastore, which read:
“Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to print Cantona, Beckham, and Ronaldo.”
The reason behind the Ronaldo printing ban
Manchester United later confirmed to The Sun that the restriction is due to image rights owned by the players themselves.
Despite their iconic status at Old Trafford, the club cannot use the names of Cantona, Beckham, and Ronaldo on replica shirts without additional agreements.
All three legends are deeply ingrained in United’s history, having contributed to the club’s most successful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
From Beckham’s precision passing, to Cantona’s leadership, to Ronaldo’s unforgettable goals, each player left an indelible mark on United.
Ronaldo even returned to the club for a second stint in 2021, although that chapter ended in controversy.
The Ronaldo-Ten Hag fallout
Ronaldo’s second spell at United came to an abrupt end following a public fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Tensions boiled over in October 2022, when Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur.
He was immediately dropped from the squad for the following match and ordered to train away from the first team.
Things escalated further when Ronaldo was denied access to the dressing room to retrieve a pair of trainers.
According to Mirror Football, he had to ask an academy player to enter the dressing room on his behalf, a humiliating moment for a player of his calibre.
The situation left many senior players uncomfortable with the severity of the ban.
The final blow came when Ronaldo gave a bombshell interview to Piers Morgan, criticising the club and Ten Hag.
The fallout led to his contract being terminated and a subsequent move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Despite the off-field drama, Ronaldo remains a club legend. But due to licensing restrictions, fans will have to honour his legacy without his name on the back of the new United shirts.
Ruben Amorim’s United are currently touring the U.S. for their pre-season preparations and will next face Bournemouth in a friendly match in Chicago on Thursday.
Source: YEN.com.gh
