The inspiration behind United Review’s new cover

There’s a fresh look to the United Review cover for the opening programme of 2025/26, our Snapdragon Cup clash with Fiorentina, and fans of a certain age might spot something familiar.

While many elements from last season’s cover remain – albeit in slightly different positions – the big change is the shape of the picture box and the welcome return of the classic United Review handshake.

The look of Manchester United’s programme has changed countless times since the club first adopted its own matchday publication in the early 20th century, meaning there were lots of options from which we could take inspiration. We wanted something that honours our heritage and carries the red thread of United’s past into the present day: something retro yet modern. 

Several designs caught our eye, but it was one used in the 1980/81 season – with its distinctive circular photo – that we decided to revisit. There were no words added to the cover in the early Eighties version, and there might not always be this season, but for the visit of Fiorentina we felt a message was appropriate as we set the scene for the campaign ahead.

The background colour for the Fiorentina issue of the programme is red, as it will be for domestic cup competitions in 2025/26. But from next weekend, when we welcome Arsenal to M16 for our enticing Premier League curtain-raiser, the background colour will be white – as it will for all 19 league programmes. 

The sleeve pattern from the new home shirt has been applied to the frame of the circle, cover lines now break out of the picture to be more impactful, and the handshake has been placed between the United Review logo and the day’s fixture information. 

An illustration of a handshake between a supporter and player first featured on the cover of the programme upon the resumption of league football after the Second World War. It was then editor Sidney F Wicks who had the idea to introduce it, and there it has remained for much of the eight decades since. 

In more recent times it’s moved from the front to the inside pages, briefly the centre spread, and most recently the back cover above the squad lists. But at a time when Ruben Amorim looks to build something new and exciting at Old Trafford it felt only right that the historic symbol of unity be given a more prominent position.

Pick up at copy of United Review at Old Trafford on Saturday, or order yours online.

Get ready for United v Fiorentina:

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