Airport staff have been left feeling shirty – thanks to the crafty actions of Leeds United and Everton supporters.
In a summer trend that has triggered sighs and shrugs of shoulders, fans of both clubs have taken to placing their team’s jerseys over those of their biggest rivals inside shops at Manchester Airport.
In Leeds’ case, members of the Elland Road faithful have been taking white shirts off the rack and then using them to cover the displays of Manchester United jerseys.
And those from the blue half of Merseyside have been following suit – placing their shirts over those of city rivals Liverpool.
Daily Mail Sport understands that the practice has been going on for some time but has ‘exploded’ this summer, with it now happening multiple times each day at JD Sports outlets.
Indeed, those involved are often taking pictures of their handiwork and proudly sharing it to social media.
Leeds fans are placing their shirts over Man United shirts in shops at Manchester Airport
Everton fans are doing the same to Liverpool jerseys, in what is proving an annoyance for staff
One fed-up insider explained: ‘It was funny at first but now it’s just become a pain. We get it – you don’t like United and Liverpool. I think people have seen it as an opportunity to score some points on the internet and it’s kind of gone from there.
‘Now we just roll our eyes when we see it’s happened again, which is often a few times a day. The summer season has been a nightmare, but I guess it’s a bit of banter.’
The move does not appear to have deterred those of a Liverpool persuasion. It is understood that, despite being in Manchester, more Liverpool home shirts are sold than those of any other club at the airport.
Between July and August, Leeds United’s blue away shirt was the second-highest seller, followed by both United home and away shirts.
Liverpool’s away shirt was in fifth, followed by Manchester City’s home shirt in seventh. Everton’s shirt was in 10 place over the time period.
