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Man Utd forced to fork out £4k in last-minute dash to shops after boots crisis
Sep 12 2025 12:38 · By Tony Robertson/Tony Robertson
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MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to fork out almost £4,000 for football boots and shin guards in a last-minute dash before a Champions League clash.
United Women had taken a chartered flight to Norway from Manchester for ease of travel to their Champions League qualifying first leg against SK Brann.
3 Man Utd are investigating how a bag of player boots went missing during a trip to Norway Credit: Getty
3 Lisa Naalsund got her mum to bring some boots to the stadium Credit: PA
3 United lost the crucial Champions League qualifying first leg 1-0 to SK Brann Credit: AFP
Marc Skinner's side lost the game 1-0 but will hope to turn around the result in the second leg at Leigh Sports Village next week as they eye a spot in the Champions League proper for the first time in their history.
But in a bizarre gaffe, United officials are now investigating how a bag containing some of their players boots went missing in transit to Bergen.
Red Devils star Lisa Naalsund, who is from the city, confirmed to TV2 she had asked her mother to bring some boots to the stadium after hers had been lost.
She said: "There were a few shoes that disappeared.
"We haven't quite figured out where they are yet. It was right before we went to the stadium so there was a bit of chaos."
For other bootless stars, United officials made a mad-dash to the local Torshov Sports store less than three hours before the 4:30pm local time kick-off.
Speaking to BBC Sport , shop owner Andre Gullord said United bought 15 pairs of boot and 20 sets of shin guards, costing just under £4,000 on the spontaneous shopping spree.
Gullord said: "We are a big store but they were very lucky we had enough boots in stock that were the right size.
"They paid between £200 and £230 for each pair of boots and £30 for the shin guards.
"We have had the odd player come in because they have left their boots behind but never the entire team."
"Maybe we should have told them we only had boots with no studs to help the local team!"
United won their opening game of the Women's Super League season with a stylish 4-0 win over Leicester at home.
They will embark on a trip to south London to face newly-promoted London City Lionesses this Sunday.
The crunch follow up leg for their Champions League fate then comes days before a heavyweight clash with Champions League holders Arsenal and a grudge match with Liverpool .