But the kits are, in fact, looked after, preserved and washed after every session on the pitch. It has always been this way.
"The job of being the kitman is to make sure that the players go out worry-free and perform, wearing our colours proudly," says Albert Morgan, who was kit manager during two successful decades under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I looked after the kit for 20 years. We made history and I loved seeing the team go out with a pristine kit."
Albert and his colleagues have had to facilitate some interesting kit rituals and requests from the players.