LONDON -- Almost two hours after the final whistle, Manchester United's players waited around the team coach beneath Wembley's vast stands. The club secretary had already walked back to the bus clutching plastic bags containing the players' EFL Cup trophies for safe keeping. Several players have never seen their medals again following celebrations at Wembley.
Nearby, Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton smiled as did Ed Woodward, who made his way out of the stadium on crutches. Families and agents, who'd flown into England's capital for the weekend, were close by, with well-dressed partners smiling -- and not only because United's players are having a couple of days off as a reward for winning Jose Mourinho's first major trophy for United.