Aston Villa Premier League rivals Man Utd hit by similar curse that plagued Villains stars in September

Aston Villa are not the only Premier League club to be experiencing difficulties with their first-team kit this season as reports emerge that Manchester United stars have swapped their gear for replica versions in recent weeks.

In September, both members of the men's and women's Villains players raised issues with the Castore kit for his campaign with problems specifically on the jersey's material absorbing sweat during matches. Aston Villa stars could be seen with sodden shirts on the pitch during fixtures with the professionals raising issues with discomfort.

The club and Castore were reported to be working towards a solution together, which was either to be adjustments to the current material or a new batch altogether. Little more has been heard on the matter since the end of September.

Over at Old Trafford, players have been having their own issues with the kit but in a different way to Unai Emery's side. The club wear shirts, shorts and socks provided by manufacturers adidas.

The Daily Mail found that Red Devils stars had taken to ripping holes in socks that had been too tight on calf muscles and eventually ditched the gear altogether in favour of the more comfortable replica kit versions.

Manchester United goalkeeper, and £47 million summer signing, Andre Onana is also believed to have had issues with his shirt. The jerseys for players are closer fighting than those for supporters and Onana is thought to have found the design too uncomfortable.

The 27-year-old stopped wearing the adidas first-team shirts after the 2-1 win over Sheffield United last month and has been sporting a replica version since. The news comes after former number one David De Gea had supposedly complained about shirts being too loose fitting last season and a change from providers in the other direction may have backfired for the bulkier Onana.

Neither Manchester United nor adidas has commented on the reports but one source suggested the clothing providers were working on 'light amendments' in response to comments.

Aston Villa and the Red Devils are yet to meet this season but will come head-to-head over the festive period with Erik ten Hag’s misfiring side welcoming Unai Emery’s rampant Villa to the Theatre of Dreams on Boxing Day.