SKIPPER Simon Francis revealed he had copped flak from his wife and kids over the vibrant colour of his boots.

The experienced defender recently donned bright pink footwear due to a sponsorship agreement.

While admitting he was pleased with the feel and comfort, the 33-year-old said they were one of the brightest pairs he had seen.

Quizzed on his footwear choice ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Manchester United (12.30pm), Francis said: “I’ve had that off just about everyone, even my wife and kids!

“It’s just how we are contracted by Adidas and, if you want to get paid, you have to wear them.

“They are comfy, actually. I can't wear the other ones they make with the different material because of my Achilles.

“The Predators are leather and they are very soft and comfortable but they are pink, that’s the only problem.

“I have seen all colours of boots now, so nothing surprises me. The pink ones are probably the brightest.

“My little girl wants them now. She wants to wear pink boots so we have something in common!”

Francis revealed he had been taken off as a precaution after feeling tightness in his groin during Tuesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup fourth-round triumph over Norwich.

Victory over Jose Mourinho’s men would put Cherries six points ahead of the 20-time English champions.

With Cherries having secured 20 points from 10 league games, captain Francis is eager for Eddie Howe’s men not to take their foot off the pedal.

“The form book would say we might be favourites going into this game but it is still Manchester United. You cannot underestimate them,” he said.

“I think they have hit a bit more form over the past couple of weeks. There are some players in really good form we are going to have to be wary of.

“But we are the home team. We have our home form behind us and are still unbeaten at home.

“We are in our fourth season in the Premier League and these games are the ones we can grab by the scruff of the neck and take to Manchester United.

“Even with the points we have accumulated so far, people might think ‘it’s all right if they lose to Manchester United as they have done so well at the start of the season’. But we are certainly not looking at it like that.

“It’s a huge game and I don’t think we see these kind of games as a free hit any more. We believe we can give them a game and beat them. That’s how we will be looking at it.

“The crowd will get behind us. We will be at it from the start, pressing them high, trying to win the ball back and trying to give the fans something to get excited about."