MANCHESTER UNITED 1996-98 HOME SHIRT - CANTONA 7 - KIDS L
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Description & Sizing
Excellent condition. Club crest is embroidered. Umbro logo and sponsors are sublimated. Player name and number are flock and heat applied. No pulls, various small bobbles across shirt. Colours and stitching in excellent condition.
Worn across the 1996/97 and 1997/98 campaigns, this Manchester United shirt featured during Sir Alex Ferguson's continued rebuilding of the squad, as emerging talents including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt became established first-team players.
The 1996/97 campaign began with one of the Premier League's most memorable goals, as Beckham scored from inside his own half against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. United went on to secure their fourth Premier League title in five seasons, finishing seven points clear of Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
In European competition, Manchester United reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where they were eliminated by eventual winners Borussia Dortmund. Ole Gunnar Solskjær finished his debut season as the club's leading scorer, having joined from Molde in the summer of 1996.
The campaign also marked the end of Eric Cantona's playing career, with the French forward announcing his retirement in May 1997. Teddy Sheringham subsequently arrived from Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the following season.
Manchester United finished second in the Premier League during 1997/98, one point behind champions Arsenal, while reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The two seasons represented an important period in the development of Ferguson's squad, with several players going on to form the core of Manchester United's Treble-winning team in 1998/99.
PIT TO PIT - 52cm /// COLLAR TO HEM - 64cm
Unsure about sizing? View our Size Guide to compare measurements across eras.
Condition
Each item is individually inspected and graded by our team to ensure an accurate representation of its condition.
Every item at The Soccer Archive is individually assessed and graded on our condition scale out of 10. This rating takes into account the overall quality of the fabric, print, badges and any natural signs of wear that come with age.
Most pieces we sell are vintage or pre-owned, meaning small signs of age can be part of their character.
Our condition guide
10/10 - Brand New with Tags
Outstanding condition with no noticeable flaws. Tags may or may not be present, but the item shows little to no sign of wear.
9/10 - Mint
Very strong vintage condition. May show the lightest signs of storage or previous wear, but nothing that distracts from the item overall.
8/10 - Excellent
A well-kept piece with minor signs of age or use. This could include light bobbling, slight fading or very small marks, but it still presents really well.
7/10 - Very Good
Noticeable wear consistent with age. This may include moderate fading, small pulls, bobbling, minor cracking to print or a small mark.
6/10 and below - Good with Noticeable Signs of Wear
More obvious signs of wear or ageing. This might include heavier fading, marks, pulls, print wear or repairs.
Any notable flaws will always be highlighted in the product description and imagery.
Product Care
Vintage sportswear requires a little extra care to help preserve fabric, colour and printed details.
Following the steps below will help protect sponsor logos, badges, namesets and delicate materials.
Washing
- Hand wash where possible. For delicate or older items, hand wash only
- If machine washing, use a cold wash on a gentle cycle
- Wash inside out
- Wash with similar colours
- Use mild detergent only
- Do not bleach
- Avoid fabric softener
Drying
- Air dry naturally
- Hang or dry flat in a well-ventilated space
- Avoid direct heat from radiators and strong sunlight where possible
- Do not tumble dry
Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Keep away from damp environments or direct sunlight
- For long-term storage, fold carefully to avoid stressing prints and badges
- If hanging, use a wide/padded hanger to help maintain shape
Protecting prints, badges and sponsor logos
- Do not iron directly over prints, namesets, patches or sponsor logos
- Avoid excessive heat, as this can damage vinyl, flock and older materials
- Take extra care with vintage shirts that have original printing or delicate embellishments
Vintage pieces often feature delicate materials and original printing, so gentle care will always give the best results.
Want to learn more about caring for your collection? Read our How to Care for Vintage Football Shirts: The Complete Guide.
Why Shop With The Soccer Archive?
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At The Soccer Archive, every item is carefully sourced, inspected and graded by our team to ensure authenticity and quality.
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Every item is individually selected by our team to ensure it meets our standards for quality and historical significance.
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All products are graded using our condition scale, so you can buy vintage items with confidence.
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The Soccer Archive was created by football fans, for football fans - celebrating the stories behind the shirts.
Whether you're a collector, supporter or simply discovering football history through iconic kits, we aim to make vintage football culture accessible to everyone.
