United’s no clue about cup plinth
United for a new trophy base, which could cost anything up to £1,000.
Embarrassed United staff found the trophy wasn’t on its plinth – ebonised with an inscribed silver band – when they went to collect it from the museum at Old Trafford.
A search was mounted to discover where the base had gone and photographs of United’s celebrations on the day are believed to have been examined.
But baffled officials had to admit defeat after exhaustive enquiries amongst senior club officials, boss Jose Mourinho and his players.
Initially it was believed one of the players, Mourinho or one of his staff picked up the plinth as a momento after the 3-2 win over Southampton and it had been misplaced.
That theory was ruled out after all staff at Wembley on the day were quizzed to see if anyone could shed any light on the mystery.
A United source told People Sport: “We don’t believe the plinth left Wembley with anyone connected to Manchester United.
“The trophy was handed over on the day and the players paraded it around Wembley in the usual fashion but, as for the base, it’s a puzzle where it went.
“From what we can gather it has never been in Manchester.”
With this season’s Carabao Cup final just a month away on February 25 the Football League revealed last night they are having to have a new base, complete with inscriptions, recommissioned.