There's a strange, unusual feeling about the Europa League final tonight following the tragic events that took place in Manchester on Monday.
The terror attack carried out by a suicide bomber at the Manchester Arena where an Ariana Grande concert was taking place, saw 22 people killed and 120 injured.
In times like this, football takes a backseat but the game goes ahead nonetheless.
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Jose Mourinho and the United squad held a one-minute silence prior to their training session yesterday.
The club's mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of the final was cancelled, with Mourinho instead issuing a statement and expressing his sympathy to all the victims and their families.
"We are all very sad about the tragic events; we cannot take out of our minds and our hearts the victims and their families," he said.
"We have a job to do and we will fly to Sweden to do that job. It is a pity we cannot fly with the happiness that we always have before a big game.
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"I know, even during my short time here, that the people of Manchester will pull together as one.
And Mourinho is also said to have had a rousing message for his players in private ahead of the game, with emphasis on the responsibility to do Manchester proud.
Image: PA
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Miguel Delaney from The Independent notes that Mourinho's message to his players was: "Do it for the city, do it for the kids".
UEFA have confirmed that the usual pre-game ceremony will not take place at the Friends Arena tonight, while a minute silence will be observed, and United will show their respect by wearing black armbands for the fixture.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Europa League, Manchester United, Ajax