A City United: Manchester clubs pledge £1m after attack

Manchester United and Manchester City have put their footballing rivalry to one side in the wake of the terror attack that killed 22 people on Monday night after donating £1m to the fund set up for victims.

They have also adopted the hashtag #ACityUnited on social media.

"The hope of both our clubs is that our donation will go some small way to alleviate the daunting challenges faced by those directly affected and that our acting together will serve as a symbol to the world of the unbreakable strength of the spirit of Manchester," said Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of Manchester City.

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United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward added: "Our clubs are right at the heart of our local communities in Manchester and it is right that we present a unified response to this tragedy."

Both clubs "are exploring ways to further help those affected by events at the Manchester Arena – and that starts with a huge donation to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund", says the Daily Mail.

They are not alone. Arsenal have also contributed £50,000 and other clubs are expected to follow.

Players have also made contributions. Wayne Rooney of United and Yaya Toure of City have both donated £100,000.

United also dedicated their Europa League triumph to those affected by the suicide attack at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester on Monday.

Rooney said the attack had "stopped him in his tracks". After lifting the trophy on Wednesday night, he added: "Obviously football doesn't bring back the lives which were lost, but to try and give some happiness to the city was vital to us."

Extra security for Man United at Europa League final

23 May 2017

The Europa League final between Manchester United and Ajax will take place as planned in Stockholm on Wednesday, but with heightened security in the wake of the Manchester terror attack.

The United squad has flown to Sweden but the club has cancelled a press conference there on Tuesday in the wake of the attack. Like their neighbours Manchester City, the club has issued a statement expressing shock, sorrow and sympathy after the attack.

The players, who gathered at the club's training complex on Tuesday, held a minute's silence. Added security measures were in evidence.

"Players had their cars searched as they entered their Carrington training ground on Tuesday morning, while the club's megastore was closed for the day and stadium tours were suspended," reports the Daily Mail.

Flags at Old Trafford were flying at half mast on Tuesday, says The Sun, which adds that United have requested permission to wear black armbands tomorrow night.

"Anti-terror cops have now thrown an impenetrable ring of steel around United's clash at the Friends Arena in Sweden amid heightened fears of an attack," adds the paper, which says "Jose Mourinho's stars are being protected around the clock by gun cops" ahead of the match.

Despite the decision to play the final, "football will not be on the minds of all those making the trip over the next 48 hours", says Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph.

But he adds: "Uefa has attempted to reassure club officials and fans that extra measures are in place in the wake of all recent incidents. Last month, central Stockholm was targeted when a hijacked truck was deliberately driven into shoppers in a crowded city centre street. Five died and 15 were injured."

Despite the atrocities in Manchester and Stockholm, Uefa says there is "no specific intelligence" relating to the Europa League final or the Champions League finale in Cardiff on 3 June.

With two major finals in the space of 11 days, security has been at the forefront of Uefa's planning, says the Daily Mirror.

"They have been liaising with Swedish police ahead of the match in Stockholm for a number of months, increasing their detail following the Stockholm terror attack."

Fans have also been urged to arrive early at the stadium to get through security checks before the game begins.