Manchester United could play in an away strip next season that was reportedly inspired by a regional daily’s defunct football paper.

The Manchester Evening News has reported on a ‘leaked’ possible design for Manchester United’s away strip next season, which is pale pink in colour.

The MEN says football website Footy Headlines has suggested that the strip would pay tribute to the paper’s now-defunct ‘Football Pink’ edition, although neither the newspaper nor the club have so far commented on the claim.

The MEN’s story is accompanied by a mock-up of the supposed kit, which was posted by a Twitter account called ‘101 Great Goals’ on Saturday.

Manchester United's rumoured away jersey for next season…

Thoughts? ? pic.twitter.com/TZ8iKrVPfj

— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) March 17, 2018

Footy Headlines originally covered the story in November citing a Twitter post by a user called Jack Henderson as its source.

He wrote: “So apparently the new United away shirt is inspired by the old Manchester Evening News ‘Football Pink’ football news section which, as its name suggests, was printed on light pink paper.”

The MEN’s story states: “A possible design for Manchester United’s away kit for next season has been ‘leaked’ online. And images purporting to be of the club’s second strip back up previous reports United could play pink for the first time.

“Suggestions the new kit could be pink were first rumoured in November last year – with Footy Headlines claiming the new away kit would pay tribute to the Manchester Evening News Football Pink in its design. And the latest pictures seem to have developed upon that initial template.

“A tweet from ‘101 Great Goals’ containing a mock-up image of the supposed kit gathered a lot of interest over the weekend. If reports are to be believed, Adidas are planning a bold decision to manufacturer a pink home shirt complete with black shorts and pink socks.

“While the new design is certainly eye-catching, the suggestion of a vibrant pink strip is already dividing fans opinions, with many supporters keen to see the club stick with a more traditional design.”

HTFP has approached Manchester United for a comment on whether there is any truth in the claims and has also asked the paper for further comment.