Author:

“Is this their moment? Beckham, into Sheringham…. and Solskjaer has won it! Manchester United have reached the promised land” – taking you back to that famous night in Spain, adidas Originals’ annual collaboration with Manchester United continues with the revival of an aptly named silhouette from the archives, the Barcelona.

The 26 May 1999 – over 90,000 spectators packed themselves into Barca’s Camp Nou stadium to witness Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United score two signature late goals in the dramatic Champion League Final. Current manager Ole Gunner Solksjaer scored the winning goal; beating Bayern Munich 2-1 in injury time and securing United’s third trophy in their fabled treble-winning season. The Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League all wrapped up within 10 days – a feat never been replicated by any other English team.

While many of you out there may not be Manchester United fans, don’t let that detract from the beauty of their latest effort with adidas Originals. Silhouette wise, the Barcelona was one of the later additions to the brand’s European City Series and has yet to have seen a reissue until now.

Packed with references to the legendary final throughout, club appropriate white and red hues paint the model, with supportive suede overlays making up the T-toe box. Recalling the exact minutes when the Sheringham and Solksjaer scored their climactic late goals, the numbers 91 and 93 overlay the usual Trefoil tongue branding, while Manchester United’s club crest and an outline print of Ole’s treble-winning goal celebration sit on the footbed in honorary fashion.

Additional details applied to the shoe include custom ‘Treble’ tipped laces, and a laser engraved Devil on the heel of the right foot – an emblem which has been used by the club since the late ’60s. Underfoot, the commemorative pair sits atop a similar distinctive dual-density PU outsole of the Trimm Trab, however, the more attuned collectors amongst you will notice its slightly slimmer profile like that of 2015’s Chetcuti SPZL.

[ratings]

The adidas Originals x Manchester United Barcelona ’99 will be available exclusively from our size? Manchester store, priced at £90 on Friday 1st November. Please keep an eye on our social channels for further information this week.