SPORTING teams are often the best advertising a brand can get. They play in front of thousands of people every weekend and are watched by millions more on TV, so it’s no surprise when a company creates a product inspired by a particular player or team.

That’s exactly what sportswear company Adidas did, except they made one huge mistake.

They released a limited edition shoe inspired by English Premier League (EPL) club Manchester United, called the “Stretford”, trying to build on the company’s successful release of a retro Manchester United clothing range earlier this year.

However, judging by the reaction of United fans, they won’t be wearing the new footwear anytime soon, and it’s easy to see why.

Adidas’ iconic three stripes are a main feature of the Stretford. But, instead of reflecting the true Manchester United identity, those stripes are blue. That’s right, blue. As in, the colour worn by their fiercest cross-town rivals Manchester City. The colour no Manchester United fan would ever be seen dead in.

It’s incredible to see how such a decision could have been made, especially considering United are known as the Red Devils, while City’s nickname is the Sky Blues.

The sportswear giants justified their decision by saying the blue was a reference to the club’s jersey in their 4-1 victory over Portuguese side Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final at Wembley Stadium. But supporters pointed out the colour worn in that match was a darker, royal blue as opposed to the light blue evident on the shoe.

Angry fans took to social media to express their dismay at Adidas’ decision.

@adidasUK @LucasPavlidis thats a troll's excuse to put blue on a united shoe — Jesse Thompson (@Jesmeshd94) October 19, 2015

@adidasUK good work on alienating he only people possibly interested in buying this shoe. It's not even the right blue for '68. Dumb. — Chris Traverse (@christraverse) October 18, 2015

Good job @adidasUK .Sky blue on a @ManUtd shoe. Who the hell is in charge of your marketing team. #colourblind pic.twitter.com/0ooyAuQHGu — JordanW (@JwJwhiteside) October 18, 2015

@adidasUK A Man Utd aimed shoe with Man City blue....No thanks — Wayne Preston (@wayne3078) October 18, 2015

The Stretford name comes from the Stretford End supporters’ section at United’s home ground — Old Trafford.

As well as the name being printed on the tongue and side of the shoe, the Red Devils’ logo is on the back of the heel.

The famous football club agreed last year to a 10-year sponsorship deal with Adidas worth more than $AUD1.5 billion.

United sit third on the EPL ladder with 19 points from nine games, while City sit atop the table with 21 points. United notched their sixth win of the season when they beat Everton 3-0 on the weekend.

First-half goals from Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera and a strike by Everton old boy Wayne Rooney gave United the spoils in the one-sided contest.

Manager Louis Van Gaal was thrilled by their return to form, which saw Rooney net only his second league goal of the campaign.

“It was a very good performance and I said to my players that I am very proud of them because it is one of our best matches,” said Van Gaal.

“We needed that because Everton are a very good team. We controlled the game for 80 minutes and only when the referee gave free-kicks around the 60-metre mark were Everton dangerous, because (Ross) Barkley can take free-kicks.

“We got more confidence and you could see that in the second half. I was very happy.”

City also cruised to an easy win, thrashing newcomers Bournemouth 5-1 at home. Former Liverpool player Raheem Sterling justified his $AUD104 million transfer fee by scoring a hat-trick for his new side

“I think it was important for Raheem to score three goals,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

“He’s a very young player and I’m sure he will continue improving in the future. I don’t think he’s a striker in the way that Kun (Aguero) or (Wilfried) Bony is. But he’s a player who must improve his finishing.

“I said when he arrived here that he must improve. I’m sure that this season he will score more goals than in previous seasons when he played for Liverpool.”

Manchester United and Manchester City will meet in a local derby next weekend.

— with AFP