The first semi-final of 2014 was expected to be close, only for Germany to demolish the Neymar-less hosts – in the blizzard of social media reaction, Mancunians were not shy in making their feelings known

Attacking midfielder Ashley Young and right back Rafael both celebrate their birthdays today and the United Twitter account was quick to mark the special occasion.

David Sadler, who helped United to league titles in 1965 and 1967 during one of the club’s most successful decades, said he is quietly pleased he won’t be on the receiving end of any changing room tirades from Louis van Gaal.

The famous sky blue and white kit has adorned various grounds in neighbouring Brazil as Argentina hope to echo their World Cup victories of 1978, at home, and 1986 in Mexico.

The World Cup in Brazil has been one of the greatest in living memory but strangely absent from the limelight have been a vast array of under performing Premier League stars.

United’s new kit is available to pre-order now on United Direct and Nike.com ahead of its worldwide release on July 16, while the players will first don the strip a week later.

Van Gaal’s Dutch side will play Argentina in the World Cup last four therefore keeping him in Brazil until the final weekend as United, meanwhile, prepare to embark for their USA tour on the 18th.

Scot Ferguson ended his 26-year managerial stint at United in 2013 having won a staggering 38 trophies, with Rob Swire by his side from 1991.

Spaniard De Gea has been impressed with the high-profile footballing stars that have recently moved over to the MLS (Major League Soccer), including compatriot David Villa and Brazilian legend Kaka.

The defender, 35, is working for the BBC as a pundit at the World Cup after the club brought his 12-year stint at Old Trafford to an end in May.

Manchester United and City will jet off to the States in the coming weeks for pre-season tours in preparation for the new Premier League season.