BOLD, different and unusual.

They're all good qualities to aim for when one is looking for a design that stands out.

And that is something the designers of the Manchester United kit for the 2009-10 season have aimed for.

Going old-school for new ideas, the new design is a departure from previous kits.

While last season's look was more minimalist, this season's offering is a nod to the strip worn at the time of Old Trafford's opening 100 years ago.

Meant to commemorate the Theatre of Dreams' centenary, it pays tribute to the style of shirt worn at the time of the stadium's opening.

The most distinctive feature of the shirt is the large black chevron ('V') across the chest, a similar pattern to the one United wore during the 1909-10 season.

The chevron's angle also replicates the one found at the bottom of the club crest in a further nod to the club's style.

However the black of the chevron is a departure from history, intended to present a larger appearance to intimidate opponents - augmenting the upper chest area of the shirt's wearer - and it is a motif that runs throughout the kit.

There are further tributes to United's style, with United's colours of red, white and black in a woven label inside the black round-neck collar, while engineered in to the side seam is a small label that reads 'The Theatre of Dreams Since 1910'.

The shorts are white with a red stripe along the side, a graphic of a red devil is on the back of the waist band and the draw cords have the letters 'MUFC' embedded on the tips. The socks are black with a red chevron on the calf.

Since its launch though, the strip has received mixed reviews.

Some have been dismissive, likening the jersey to those worn in rugby league or something on the set of Star Trek.

Others have said the kit looks similar to the one worn by Mexico at the 2006 World Cup, while some added that the chevron motif was sported by Bordeaux in France and Malaysian league team Kedah in the early 90s of the Malaysia Cup.

It has found support among United fans though, who have been surprised at the antipathy towards it.

Manchester United fan Joseph Ong said: 'I have friends who are not crazy about the new design but still purchase it for the love of Manchester United. As for me, I really like the new design. I think it is the best design so far.'

There is even a facebook page for the new kit, which has also drawn a largely positive response.

The players too have given the strip the thumbs-up.

United defender Rio Ferdinand said it helped maintain the club's traditions, while Wayne Rooney told the Sun: 'I think the kits are really nice. It's always exciting to see the new kit and I'm excited about playing in it.'

Needless to say, the popularity of the kit will also depend on the performance of the team.

Caspeezy from Nigeria said on goal.com's messageboard: 'Whatever design they wear, I don't mind as long as they produce the character and good football we've seen from the Red Devils.'

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Classic United kits

1986 - 1988

A CLASSIC and simple design back when Bryan Robson was Manchester United's Captain Marvel. It was also the kit that was worn by the team in Alex Ferguson's first season at United.

1993 - 1994

WITH collar upturned, who can forget this classic jersey when it was worn by the enigmatic Eric Cantona?

Many Manchester United fans will remember this jersey as the one that was worn when the Red Devils won their first double.

1997 - 1999

WORN only for Champions League matches, and retired immediately after that memorable Champions League win in Barcelona.

It was re-released later in a limited commemorative edition. Thumbs-up for new kit

ARGUABLY the most infamous jersey in Manchester United history.

So poor was it that as United were getting hammered 3-0 by Southampton at half-time in April 1996, Ferguson told his players to change their strip for the second half.

While United still lost the game 1-3, that signalled the death knell of the jersey.

When it was retired two years ahead of schedule, the team's record while wearing it was one win, one draw and four losses.