According to the Guardian, Manchester United’s joy at beating CSKA Moscow in the Champions League last night was tempered by the destruction of their specially catered, nutritionally restorative meals that were meant to be eaten on their flight back to Manchester. The Premier League champions had specifically organised the meals be ready to be eaten during their four-hour flight home, however the Guardian claim local customs regulations led to the food being destroyed prior to take-off and replaced by Russian speciality cuisine. Up until that point Sir Alex Ferguson had enjoyed a near perfect evening ahead of their crucial trip to Liverpool on Sunday, winning the match late on courtesy of an Antonio Valencia goal, and most importantly reporting a clean bill of health for Anfield.
The newspaper claims United’s night was spoiled because their decision to bring their own food offended airport catering staff who subsequently destroyed the packages, however the club’s nutritionists were clearly trying to ensure the players were sufficiently refuelled in light of Sunday’s match.
Whether the news will be a welcome boost to the beleaguered Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains to be seen.