Reds by name and red through nature

Scientists studying monkeys may have explained why soccer teams wearing red shirts such as Manchester United do so well.

Scientists studying monkeys may have explained why soccer teams wearing red shirts such as Manchester United do so well.

Research on African primates found their colour vision is highly sensitive to red on green. They say the human eye is also highly-tuned to identify the colour red which can help team members spot each other.

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong say primates can easily spot the red tinge of young leaves that are tastier and more tender than older leaves. Humans have inherited this skill, the researchers say in the science magazine Nature.

Sir Alex Ferguson famously ordered his team to strip out of their grey kit at half-time during a match with Southampton. His players complained they couldn't see each other properly without their traditional red strip.

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