Councils confirm Man Utd parade

If the club win it will be its second consecutive Champions League title

A homecoming parade will be held for Manchester United if the club wins the Champions League final, 24 hours after the game takes place.

Bosses of Manchester City Council and Trafford Council are preparing to host the celebration on 28 May, if the club are crowned champions in Rome.

No parade was held when the club won the title in May 2008 after police said they feared "risks to public safety".

It followed riots involving Rangers fans in the city earlier in the month.

'Appropriate way'

Some supporters of the Glasgow club clashed with officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), leaving a number of people injured and causing substantial criminal damage.

Manchester City Council had previously said the riots were a key factor in calling off the 2008 homecoming event.

This year the players will be invited to lead the parade if the club defeats FC Barcelona on 27 May.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council and a life-long Manchester United fan, said: "We'd be delighted to see the team now go on and win the Champions League and celebrate in the appropriate way with a parade through the city."

The parade plan is currently being co-ordinated by the two local authorities, Manchester United and GMP.

If Manchester United win, it will be the first time any club has clinched the Champions League title in two consecutive years.

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