Portugal Colonial - Sole-searching: Man Utd probe mystery of missing boots

The Red Devils had to buy a number of replacement boots and shin pads from a local shop hours before the first leg of their tie at SK Brann on Thursday, which they lost 1-0.

Shop owner Andre Gullord told the BBC that the club had spent several thousand pounds.

"We are a big store but they were very lucky we had enough boots in stock that were the right size," Gullord said. "They paid between £200 ($270) and £230 for each pair 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."

Midfielder Lisa Naalsund, who is from Bergen, where SK Brann are based, told Norwegian TV that she had asked her mother to bring some boots to the stadium for her.

"A bag containing some of our players' boots went missing during the journey to Bergen," said a United spokesman.

"We are investigating how this happened. In the meantime, we have secured new boots for all the affected players."

United will hope to turn the tie around in next week's second leg as they seek to reach the group stages of the Women's Champions League for the first time.

P.Sousa--PC