English soccer titan Manchester United said it was “deeply shocked” by the deadly blast that killed at least 22 on Monday night after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, including our supporters, club staff and members of our community such as the children from our Manchester United Foundation partner schools who were attending the concert at the Arena,” the team said in a statement. “Club staff are ready to help the police and other emergency services in any way that may be required at this challenging time for our city.”
Manchester United’s match against Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday in suburban Stockholm will go on as scheduled.
“We’re all very sad about the tragic events last night; we can’t take out of our minds and hearts the victims and their families,” Manager Jose Mourinho said. “We have a job to do and will fly to Sweden to do that job. It’s a pity we cannot fly with the happiness we always have before a big game.
“I know, even during my short time here, that the people of Manchester will pull together as one.”
Manchester United players past and present tweeted out their sympathies.
Devastating news this morning. Thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. – Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) May 23, 2017
I’m a proud Manchester lad. What happened last night was truly horrific but won’t break the great city. Thoughts with all affected – Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) May 23, 2017
Wake up to the news of attacks in Manchester… shocking! Thoughts & Prayers go out to everyone who has been affected! #StandTogether – Andrew Cole (@vancole9) May 23, 2017
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My thoughts & prayers are with all the families & friends affected by last nights attack in Manchester! #StandTogether – Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 23, 2017
In a statement, UEFA said it had been working with authorities in Sweden to ensure the Europa League final goes off safely. In April, a 39-year-old from Uzbekistan drove a beer truck into a crowd of pedestrians in Stockholm, killing four.
“There is currently no specific intelligence which might suggest that any of the UEFA Europa League final activities in Stockholm may be the target of attacks,” the statement from European soccer’s governing body read. “UEFA has been closely working with local authorities and the Swedish FA for many months and the terrorist risk had been taken into account since the very beginning of the project. Furthermore, a number of additional security measures were implemented following the attacks in Stockholm last April.”
