Man Utd fans told they can't have names of 3 club legends on the back of their shirts

Manchester United supporters have been told the club’s official Megastore will not print the names of Eric Cantona, David Beckham, or Cristiano Ronaldo on the back of the new 2025/26 home and away tops.

Despite being among the most celebrated figures in club history—Cantona the icon of the 1990s, Beckham a fixture in the treble-winning side, and Ronaldo a superstar across two spells at Old Trafford—fans are not permitted to customise shirts with their names.

The store further stated it only allows name printing using current-season shirts and fonts, ruling out use of older number fonts or retro designs.

Fans have expressed surprise and frustration on social media. One supporter joked, “What if your surname genuinely is Beckham?” while others criticized the move as emblematic of football’s commercial direction, reported The Sun.

The restriction is linked to licensing and image‑rights issues, according to notices displayed at the club shop.

The signage explains that United lacks the rights to reproduce these names without separate agreements, as each player now holds individual control over their image and likeness.

Sports Illustrated also highlighted the issue, noting that the club’s official policies are in line with wider legal precedents: once Ronaldo, Beckham, and Cantona ended their contracts with United, they retained exclusive rights to their names—rights the club did not negotiate for shirt-printing use.

This restriction comes with United on their pre-season tour of the United States, wearing their new kits during victories over West Ham and Bournemouth, reported the Manchester Evening News.

The policy means fans will instead opt for current squad players—such as high-profile signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, or captain Bruno Fernandes—for printed backs on the new jerseys.

While emblematic stars remain central to United’s heritage, the club’s legal obligations now limit how their legacies are represented in official merchandise.

As the 2025/26 season approaches, fans must choose more modern names for their personalised kits—or risk being declined at the checkout.