Will the Real Madrid magic rub off on Manchester United's white knights?

21 May 2009 09:57
The all-white football strip assumed mythical status on the backs of the Real Madrid icons who carved their names, and that of the European Cup, into football legend half a century ago. Di Stefano and Puskas, Gento and Del Sol, Santamaria and the rest of the Real senors dazzled the world with their pristine brilliance and Manchester United are not the first to copy them in the hope that the magic will rub off. Next week, with UEFA having decided that Barcelona are the 'home team' at the Olympic Stadium, United will wear a Persil-clean outfit as they attempt to retain their trophy. 'They are dressing like Real Madrid,' the Spanish newspapers claimSir Alex Ferguson's charges will not be the first. The Real tradition inspired Don Revie to change Leeds United from blue to totallywhite when he took charge of that ailing Elland Road club in 1961 and transformed them into English champions. Revie, despite being a manager not averse to utilising good-luck charms, alsoreasoned that the brightness of white stood out to psychologically dominating effect in the eyes of opponents.

Source: Daily_Mail