Manchester United bring cup home to Manchester (SN)

Manchester United FC landed back on English soil in proud possession of the European Champion Clubs' Cup on Thursday evening.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad touched down in Manchester at 21.30 local time and jubilant players paraded both the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League trophies down the steps from their plane. United had delayed their departure from Moscow having celebrated their Luzhniki Stadium triumph over Chelsea FC well into Thursday morning.

Plans to display the spoils of United's season with an open-top bus tour through the streets of Manchester have been put on hold after the violent scenes in the city surrounding last week's UEFA Cup final. However, United chief executive David Gill told the BBC that he hopes some kind of event can be organised for the summer. “We will see what can be done over the course of the summer to appropriately celebrate a fantastic season for the club,” said Gill. United defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.