Shirt: Manchester United AwaySeasons worn: 1990-91, 1991-92The Accolades: 1991-92 League Cup, 1990 FA Charity Shield, 1990-91 UEFA Cup Winner's Cup, 1991 UEFA Super CupMiscellaneous: The only shirt in the collection without a name on the back
Shirt: Manchester United AwaySeason worn: 1995-96The Player: Paul ScholesThe Accolades: 1995-96 Premier League title, 1995-96 FA CupMiscellaneous: Before settling on (and retiring in) number 18, Scholes wore two other numbers for United. He was issued number 24 in his debut season. He switched to 22 (shown here) in 1995-96, and finally to 18 the following season. This is unequivocally one of the most prized shirts in the collection.
Shirt: Manchester United ThirdSeasons worn: 2003-04, 2004-05The Player: Ruud van NistelrooyThe Accolades: 2003-04 FA Cup, 2003 Community ShieldMiscellaneous: van Nistelrooy scored 30 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions during the 2003-04 season. He earned the UEFA Champion's League Top Goalscorer in the 2004-05 campaign. This is the only shirt in the collection with Champion's League lettering instead of Official Premiership lettering.
Shirt: Manchester United Home
Seasons worn: 2004-05, 2005-06
The Player: Ruud van Nistelrooy
The Accolades: 2005-06 League Cup
Miscellaneous: This shirt was not one of United's most successful, winning but one League Cup during its two years of service. Coincidentally, it was not van Nistelrooy's most successful stretch either. He scored just 40 goals in all competitions over the period, four fewer goals than he scored in 2002-03 alone.
Shirt: Manchester United Home
Season worn: 2006-07
The Player: Wayne Rooney
The Accolades: 2006-07 Premier League title
Miscellaneous: Wayne wore the number 8 shirt for three years before switching to number 10. This was his final year as number 8, and he scored 14 goals in the Premier League and assisted on 11 more to commemorate the occasion.
Shirt: Manchester United Home
Seasons worn: 2007-08, 2008-09
The Player: Wayne Rooney
The Accolades: 2007-08 and 2008-09 Premier League titles, 2008-09 League Cup, 2007 and 2008 Community Shields, 2007-08 Champion's League Winners, 2008 FIFA Club World Cup
Miscellaneous: 2007-08 was Rooney's first year in the number 10 shirt, which sat for a year in retirement after Ruud van Nistelrooy's departure following the 2005-06 campaign. Rooney was involved in 25 goals in the Premier League in '07-08, scoring 12 and assisting on 13. While the majority of my shirts were shipped here from the UK, I actually picked this one up myself from the Nike Town in London in 2008.
Shirt: Manchester United Home
Season worn: 2009-10
The Player: Wayne Rooney
The Accolades: 2009-10 League Cup
Miscellaneous: In terms of goals, 2009-10 was Wayne's most successful year. He netted 34 times in 44 appearances in all competitions, including 26 in the Premier League alone. He was tied for the Golden Boot race, but lost out to Didier Drogba who scored a hat trick in an 8-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic on the final day of competition. On the plus side, Rooney took home the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, the PFA Fans' Player of the Year award, the FWA Footballer of the Year award, the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, and the Barclays Player of the Season award. So yeah, he did alright for himself.
Shirt: Manchester United Home
Season worn: 2010-11
The Player: Paul Scholes
The Accolades: 2010-11 Premier League title, 2010 Community Shield
Miscellaneous: This turned out to be the perfect year to stray from my traditional Rooney #10 back, as Paul retired following the 2010-11 season.
Shirt: Manchester United Away
Seasons worn: 2010-11, 2011-Present
The Player: Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez
The Accolades: 2010-11 Premier League Title, 2010 Community Shield
Miscellaneous: You'll notice two different backsides for this shirt. The first is actually my girlfriend's, she happens to be a huge Chicharito fan. The second is the special addition Champions 19 shirt United released following their record 19th Premier League title.
Shirt: Manchester United Home
Season worn: 2011-Present
The Player: Wayne Rooney
The Accolades: 2011 Community Shield.. the rest are pending.
Miscellaneous: Wayne finished the 2010-11 season strong, but the first 2/3rds were a bit tumultuous for the striker. So far this year Rooney leads the league in scoring with 9 goals in 7 matches. Now I'm not sayin' my reverting back to the 10 shirt has anything to do with that, I'm just sayin'.
Shirt: Manchester United Away
Season worn: 2011-Present
The Player: Rio Ferdinand
The Accolades: 2011 Community Shield.. the rest are pending.
Miscellaneous: Strictly in terms of visual appeal, this is the best looking shirt the collection. I went with the number 5 Ferdinand shirt for the first time.
Shirt: Everton Away
Seasons worn: 2003-04
The Player: Wayne Rooney
The Accolades: None
Miscellaneous: Wayne scored his first hat-trick during the 2003-04 season when he netted three times for Everton away at Southampton. He was signed to the Everton youth squad at age 9 and broke into the first team at age 16. He spent two seasons in Everton's first team before Manchester United bought him for 25.6 million pounds when Wayne was 18 years-old. Rooney became the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorer (at the time) after a last minute, game-winning goal against Arsenal in 2002, which ended the Gunners' 30 match unbeaten run.
Shirt: USMNT Home
Major Compeition: 2010 World Cup
The Player: Edson Buddle
The Accolades: World Cup
Miscellaneous: In Edson's one start surrounding the World Cup, the USMNT's final friendly against Australia in South Africa before the start of the tournament, Edson scored twice in one half before being taken off at the intermission.
For what it's worth, the collection is a work in progress. I've ultimately decided to acquire each of the Manchester United home shirts going forward.. for nostalgia or whatever. If I had to pick a favorite, it would either be the 1995-96 Scholes 22 shirt or the 2003-04 Everton Rooney 18 shirt.
So there's a little insight for you. I'm sure you've noticed a trend or two, so make of that what you will. Brandon's collection will be posted tomorrow, and feel free to tell us about your own in the comments section.
