Manchester United shirts are among the most popular football shirts in the world. Unfortunately, that popularity also makes them one of the most commonly faked shirts on the market.
Counterfeit Manchester United shirts regularly appear on resale platforms such as eBay, Depop and Facebook Marketplace. If you are buying vintage shirts online, knowing how to spot the warning signs can save you a lot of money.
This guide explains how to identify fake Manchester United shirts so you can avoid getting caught out when buying online.
This guide covers:
- Adidas Manchester United shirts (2015 onwards)
- Nike Manchester United shirts (2002–2014)
- How to authenticate 1990s Umbro Shirts (New page)
Important: Fake football shirts are illegal to sell in the UK, even if the seller clearly states they are fake.
Counterfeit shirts are often produced in factories with poor labour conditions and are frequently linked to organised crime. Aside from the legal issues, they are also usually poor quality and often fall apart after a few washes.
If you want a cheaper alternative to a £65+ brand new shirt, it is usually better to buy a vintage Manchester United shirt. Older shirts were often made with better materials and tend to last much longer.
How To Spot Fake Manchester United Adidas Shirts
Adidas has been producing Manchester United shirts since 2015, and unfortunately, many counterfeit versions have appeared online during this time.
As a football shirt seller, I regularly receive messages offering these shirts in bulk. They are usually advertised as “top quality” or “1:1 replicas”, but there are always ways to identify them.
Below is an example of fake Manchester United shirts being sold in bulk from China.
The quickest way to check whether an Adidas Manchester United shirt is genuine is by looking at the product code inside the neck label.
Every Adidas shirt has a unique product code made up of letters and numbers. You can verify these codes using my Manchester United Adidas code checker.
If a seller refuses to provide a photo of the code or claims the label has been removed, that should immediately raise suspicion.
Another easy indicator is the price. When a new Manchester United shirt launches, official retailers typically sell them for around £65–£80.
If you see a brand new current-season shirt being sold for £25–£35, it is almost certainly fake.
Some fake product codes appear repeatedly on counterfeit shirts. One example that appears regularly is Adidas code CW1526.
If you see this code attached to a Manchester United shirt listing, it is very likely counterfeit.
Spotting Fake Nike Manchester United Shirts
Nike produced Manchester United shirts between 2002 and 2014, and these shirts are also frequently copied by counterfeit manufacturers.
However, many of the fake shirts produced during that era were made with very poor materials. Because of this, fewer of them remain in circulation today compared with modern Adidas fakes.
One commonly faked shirt is the 2007/08 Manchester United home shirt, especially versions with TEVEZ printed on the back.
Like Adidas shirts, Nike shirts also contain product codes inside the wash label.
These labels usually include:
- A Nike product code
- Manufacturing information
- Sometimes multiple reference numbers
If the shirt does not have a wash label containing product codes, there is a strong chance it could be fake.
Another useful trick is to compare the listing photos with genuine shirts from reputable sellers. For example, you can compare them with the shirts available in my Manchester United shirt collection.
Fake shirts often show the following signs:
- Poorly stitched club badges
- Incorrect fonts for names and numbers
- Low quality sponsor printing
- Incorrect sizing or shirt material
Common Fake Manchester United Shirts To Watch For
- New With Tags (BNWT) – Many counterfeit shirts are modern remakes of older shirts sold with fake tags. If you see an Adidas-era shirt under £50 or an older shirt under £80 brand new with tags, it is likely fake.
- Long Sleeve Versions – Counterfeiters often produce long sleeve remakes because they look more premium. Genuine long sleeve shirts were produced in smaller numbers and usually sell for much higher prices.
- Beckham 7 – David Beckham shirts from the early Nike era are heavily faked due to their popularity. Always inspect these listings carefully.
How To Identify Fake Manchester United Shirts On eBay, Depop and Facebook
When buying shirts online, the easiest way to check authenticity is to ask the seller for photos of the internal product codes.
If the listing does not include these photos, always message the seller and request them.
If the seller refuses or claims the label has been removed, it is best to avoid the purchase.
Buying on eBay
If you receive a counterfeit shirt from eBay, you can open a return case stating the item was “not as described”. In most cases you will receive a full refund.
Buying on Depop
Depop also has a counterfeit protection policy. If a shirt is fake you can report the listing and request a refund through their buyer protection system.
Buying on Facebook Marketplace
Facebook can be riskier when buying football shirts. If you do purchase from Facebook, always pay using PayPal Goods & Services so you have protection if the shirt turns out to be counterfeit.
Never send bank transfers for shirts purchased through Facebook groups.
Spending a few minutes checking labels, photos and seller reputation can save you a lot of money and help you avoid buying fake Manchester United shirts.
