It had been anticipated the Red Devils would embark on a victory parade on Thursday if they returned from Moscow victorious.

However, mindful of the violence that accompanied Wednesday's UEFA Cup Final, city councillors were in no mood to allow more football fans to pour onto the streets as Rangers' did this week.

After consultation between the council, police and United, it has been decided to postpone the trophy celebrations for a couple of months.

Although no precise date has been set, club officials have earmarked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's testimonial on August 2 as the most appropriate date.

The encounter with Espanyol will almost certainly be the only time Sir Alex Ferguson's side are in action on home soil before the new Premier League campaign gets underway a fortnight later.

In July, United embark on a three-match tour of South Africa, which follows a trip to Ferguson's old club Aberdeen, while on August 10, they will take on either Portsmouth or Cardiff in the annual Community Shield clash at Wembley.