Manchester United imposes targeted restrictions on its fans

Manchester United fans were surprised by an unusual measure: a ban on customizing official jerseys with the names of Cristiano Ronaldo , David Beckham, and Eric Cantona. The practice, common among fans who want to pay tribute to their idols, is now banned at least in the club's official stores.

The information came to light after writer and fan Si Lloyd shared his experience on social media. When he tried to print Cantona's name on the club's new jersey for his son, he was informed that the names of the three icons were blocked due to licensing restrictions. The justification, visible on a sign inside the store, states: "Due to licensing restrictions, we are unable to print Ronaldo, Beckham, and Cantona."

Furthermore, a check by TUKO.co.ke confirmed that United's online store displays the message: "You are using blacklisted words, please reconsider" when trying to enter Ronaldo's name.

Image rights: the hidden factor behind the decision

It's worth noting that the likely reason for this measure involves the athletes' image rights. According to online users, Ronaldo and Cantona are still under contract with Nike, while United is sponsored by Adidas. Beckham, in turn, has robust licensing agreements, which could restrict the commercial use of his name on club merchandise.

This is because, even after retiring from the field, the three players still maintain a high market value. Therefore, displaying their names without authorization could constitute a breach of contract or misuse of their image.

Fan reaction and impact on tradition

The decision generated strong backlash. Fans lamented that young fans with surnames like Ronaldo, Beckham, or Cantona would also be affected. "Poor kids," said one user.

It's worth noting that all three athletes represented the club's legendary number 7, immortalized under Sir Alex Ferguson. Therefore, preventing the use of their names feels like a symbolic break with the club's own history.

In this way, Manchester United is on a collision course with the nostalgia of its fans and raises the debate: to what extent can marketing silence passion?