Luke Shaw and David de Gea launch blue Man Utd away kit

Manchester United have launched a new blue away kit for next season, with goalkeeper David de Gea among those modelling the strip, raising hopes that he will still be with the club next season.

The team currently have a white away kit and last wore blue when it was their third kit during the the 2014-15 campaign.

The "collegiate blue marl" tops have red Adidas stripes and a red Manchester United crest. Chevrolet remains the sponsor. They will go on sale at £60 for a short-sleeved men's shirt. The women's and child's versions are slightly cheaper at £50, but long sleeves add £5 to the price. The "authentic" version of the kit as worn by the players costs £90, says the Daily Mirror.

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The shorts and socks are also blue with red detail.

"A cursory examination reveals that the general social media response has been less than complimentary since the shirt was first leaked last week, with many fans pointing out that it bears a striking resemblance to the training gear United have been sporting this year," notes ESPN.

As ever there was intense scrutiny of the launch. "Of more interest is that de Gea is included in the imagery to promote the new jersey – although he cuts a moody figure in the photoshoot," says The Independent. "The Spaniard has been strongly linked with a summer move to Real Madrid after a deal for his transfer to the Bernabeu last August only fell through due to a paperwork error."

However, the keeper, whose top is a "zesty lime" colour according to ESPN looks far from happy about proceedings. The other players modelling the kit are Ashley Young, Juan Mata and Luke Shaw, who is on the verge of returning from a double broken leg.

Next year's home kit has yet to be released but rumoured designs have been circulating on social media for weeks.