Manchester attack scars Europa League final

Help center opened at Man City’s Etihad Stadium

Manchester United’s preparations for Wednesday’s Europa League final were plunged into sadness on Tuesday after a bomb attack at a Manchester pop concert killed 22 people and injured dozens more.

United manager Jose Mourinho led his players in a solemn minute’s silence on the club’s Carrington training pitches to the west of Manchester city center.

United were due to fly to Stockholm, scene of the final, later on Tuesday, but the club canceled their pre- match news conference scheduled to take place at the city’s Friends Arena.

“Due to the tragic events in Manchester last night and the effect that this has had on everyone here at our club and within our city, we have decided to cancel this evening’s pre- match press conference in Stockholm,” United said in a statement.

United’s opponents in the final, Dutch club Ajax, tweeted, “From Amsterdam with love to Manchester. Our thoughts are with the victims and the loved ones of those affected.”

The suicide bomb attack in Manchester, which claimed the lives of children and also injured 59 people, struck after a concert by American pop star Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena.

It was the deadliest attack to hit Britain since the July 2005 attack on the London transport network, which left 52 people dead.

European governing body UEFA said it had “no specific intelligence” suggesting the Europa League final would be targeted by attacks.

It said security arrangements had already been beefed up following last month’s truck attack in the Swedish capital, which claimed five lives and injured around 15 people.

UEFA urged fans to arrive at the stadium “as early as possible” on Wednesday as “detailed [ security] checks will be made at the entrances.”

England’s Football Association said “robust security measures” would be in place for Saturday’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Premier League champions Chelsea at London’s Wembley Stadium.

A help center was opened at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium for those affected by the blast.

The blast comes just over a month after the team bus of German side Borussia Dortmund was targeted by three roadside bomb blasts prior to a Champions League home game with Monaco.

United are targeting victory in the Europa League final in order to complete their trophy collection and secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Ajax will be appearing in their first European final since losing on penalties to Juventus in the 1996 Champions League final.