Champions League final 2009: Manchester United parade planned if Barcelona beaten

Published: 27 May 2009 - 16:04:16

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Champions League final 2009: Manchester United parade planned if Barcelona beaten

United were denied a home-coming parade following last season's European Cup success against Chelsea in Moscow due to logistical problems between the club, police and Manchester city council. But plans are in place for United to embark on an open-top bus parade through the city should they defend the Champions League title in Rome . With United's return flight due to land in Manchester at 4pm on Thursday, provisional plans are for the team to commence the parade in Albert Square at approximately 5pm. From there, the parade will follow a two-mile route that will culminate at Trafford Town Hall. United, who have already won the Premier League, Carling Cup and Fifa Club World Cup this season, last paraded through Manchester on their return from the 1999 European Cup final in Barcelona. On that occasion, Ferguson's Treble winners were welcomed home by over 500,000 supporters before rounding off the parade at the MEN Arena. If United lose against Barcelona in Rome, however, there are no plans to show off the three trophies that they have already collected this season.