
Manchester United's players have returned from Stockholm with the Europa League trophy, delivering a timely morale boost in the wake of Monday's terrorist atrocity.

Hours after goals from Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan bagged Jose Mourinho and his team their third piece of silverware of the season, the squad boarded a private plane for the return trip to north-west England.

They returned with news of a £1million donation to the families of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing - in partnership with fierce rivals Manchester City, as well as one very precious piece of hand luggage on board.

Paul Pogba keeps a tight grasp on the Europa League trophy as his Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho watches on

Back row (left to right): Matteo Darmian, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. Seated (left to right): Marcos Rojo and David de Gea

Daley Blind and Wayne Rooney are pictured in conversation as the United team and backroom staff returns to Manchester

While it might not have conformed to the dimensions required by some of Europe's budget airlines, the Europa League trophy - a giant, silver vase - represents plenty more than a place in next season's Champions League campaign to United fans.

Paul Pogba looked particularly thrilled to have his hands on the silverware, with a giant grin pinned to the Frenchman's face.

But Pogba was obviously not alone in his excitement. Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata, Sergio Romero, Marouane Fellaini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all had their pictures taken with the trophy - each of them decked out in suave grey, three-piece suits, white shirts and red club ties.

Still full of energy despite his man-of-the match exertions against Ajax, Pogba was quick to snap a selfie with a number of his team-mates.

United manager Jose Mourinho keeps a close hold of the trophy (left), as does veteran midfielder Michael Carrick

France international Paul Pogba takes a selfie, though most of his team-mates seem somewhat disinterested

Left: Marcus Rashford cradles the Europa League trophy in his lap, while Sergio Romero gives the thumbs-up

EUROPA LEAGUE TROPHY AS HAND LUGGAGE Monarch, who fly the Manchester-Stockholm route, allow passengers to take two pieces of hand luggage onto their flights with dimensions of 56 x 40 x 25cm including wheels and handles and a combined weight no heavier than 10kg. It's just as well United took a private plane, then, as the Europa League trophy measures 65 x 33 x 23cm, weighs 15kg and would have had to have been placed in the hold. And we all know the stories about baggage handlers. Advertisement

However, while the world's most expensive player's enthusiasm levels were hitting similar altitudes to the flight itself, many of the rest of the squad appeared less than willing participants, their heads buried in mobile phones and tablets.

Others looked a little more tired.

Rashford slumped back in his seat, cradling the trophy in his lap, while Mourinho looked a little bleary-eyed as he got up close and personal with the ornament.

The Portuguese did at least manage to keep the hand gesturing to a minimum on this occasion.

Earlier, Mourinho had praised his team for their humility over the course of a difficult campaign, during which they have won the EFL Cup and Community Shield in addition to the Europa League but finished well off the pace in the Premier League.

He said: 'In a bad season where sometimes I felt that my team was the worst team in the world, where I felt that sometimes I was the worst manager in the world, we managed to win three trophies and we go to the Champions League by winning a trophy — not by finishing second, third or fourth.

'So I think the season was really good. A victory of pragmatism, of humble people who respect opponents and try to stop their qualities and exploit their weaknesses.

'A victory based on humble principles. Not poets, just humble people.'

Manchester United and City have joined forces in pledging £1million to an emergency fund for the terror attack victims

Eric Bailly looks up and sees Antonio Valencia, United's captain for the night, heading to his seat on the plane