Manchester United’s victorious Champions League team returned from Moscow last night and landed in the middle of a bitter row over public safety and a police refusal to sanction a victory parade through the city.

As the club, the local council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were discussing how the team could celebrate their historic victory, supporters’ groups and MPs said that there was growing anger in the city over the lack of a parade. A week ago Rangers fans ran amok in Manchester, having seen their team beaten 2-0 by Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup final. As a result, GMP refused to sanction any celebration of a Champions League victory.

In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “It was decided that a parade could not take place because of the serious risk to public safety. It is right and fitting that MUFC’s fans should have the chance to celebrate the club’s success this year, but they should do this in safety.”

Privately, United officials are furious with the police. Publicly, however, they were much more muted. A spokeswoman for the club said: “Up until the trouble last week we were planning the open-top bus tour. It’s frustrating but we want it to be done in a safe environment.”

Sean Bones, the vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, said: “The supporters need the opportunity to show their gratitude to the players and the manager for their magnificent effort and achievement. If the cost is an issue, the Glazers have made enough money out of the fans, maybe they should step in and sort it.

“The parade in 1999 was hugely successful. This is very different from when Rangers came. This is a home-town team and home-town fans.”

The jet carrying the United team touched down at the city’s airport at 9.30 last night. Sir Alex Ferguson, flanked by Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, posed for pictures with the Champions League and Barclays Premier League trophies, before the players lined up on the gangway leading down from the aircraft.

Around 300 fans gathered at the gates of the airport and on floor 13 of the multistorey car park overlooking the runway, the closest they could get to the players, before the team bus drove away.

Manchester was gradually getting back on its feet yesterday after a night of partying. Warren Burton, 22, a bricklayer from Salford and a United season ticket-holder, took precautions. “I’ve booked the rest of the week off so I can party until Sunday,” he said.

With the hangover came a heightened sense of confusion, with fans wandering around Piccadilly Gardens, the site of the Rangers riots, wondering what they should do. Colin Shields, 20, from Cork, said: “We were up until 5 o’clock. We were hoping to see the team for the homecoming, but instead I think we’ll hit the clubs.”