Why are Reading wearing red and blue striped sleeves against Man Utd?

MANCHESTER UNITED are in FA Cup action tonight as they face Reading in the fourth round.

The Red Devils overcame Everton 3-1 to reach this stage but now they’re taking on a Championship side.

Reading beat Watford 2-0 to set up their exciting visit to Old Trafford.

The former Prem side haven’t been on TV a lot this season, but tonight they’ll be live and direct on ITV4.

And fans may notice that the Reading shirts’ sleeves are donning a jazzier than usual red and blue striped pattern.

Traditionally, the entirety of previous Reading home shirts have been white and royal blue hoops.

Why are Reading wearing red and blue striped sleeves?

Reading’s home kit for the 2022/23 season was created by University of Reading’s Professor Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist.

The striped sleeves on Reading’s shirt are meant to represent the rise in average temperatures over the last 150 years.

The top of the sleeves show predominantly blue stripes, signifying that temperatures used to be chillier.

Towards the bottom of the sleeve, the stripes become red, showing that the planet is getting warmer.

Reading have partnered with the University of Reading in an effort to alter their impact on the environment.

The kit is made entirely of recycled bottles and the garment itself is completely recyclable.

The stripes also feature on climate activist Greta Thunberg’s book ‘The Climate Book’, as well as on numerous buses across Reading.

A win for either side tonight would put them into the fifth-round draw, set to take place on Monday.

But if the game finishes in a draw, the game will be forced to go to a replay.