STOCKHOLM — After a deadly bombing at a concert in Manchester, UEFA said Tuesday it has "no specific intelligence" that the Europa League final featuring Manchester United will be a target.
Man United plays Ajax on Wednesday in Stockholm, and security was already intensified following a deadly truck attack in the Swedish capital last month. "The terrorist risk had been taken into account since the very beginning of the project," UEFA said, noting it has worked with Swedish authorities "for many months" to plan for the game.
"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," UEFA said in a statement. At least 22 people were killed when an apparent suicide bomber attacked an Ariana Grande concert as the performance ended on Monday in Manchester.
Man United players observed a minute's silence for the victims at a Tuesday morning training session before flying to Sweden. United coach Jose Mourinho's scheduled news conference later in the day at the Friends Arena in Stockholm was canceled at the club's request, UEFA said.
Ajax joined many in the soccer world expressing support for the victims. "From Amsterdam with love to Manchester," the Dutch team posted on its official Twitter account. "Our thoughts are with the victims and the loved ones of those affected."
Former United greats used social media to show support for the city. Cristiano Ronaldo's Twitter account had a post of a British flag with "MANCHESTER" written across the red central stripe.
David Beckham wrote on Facebook: "As a father & a human what has happened truly saddens me."
The club said its "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."
Old Trafford, including a club store and museum, was closed on Tuesday. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany wrote on Twitter: "I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. It's a sad day for the great city of Manchester. #Unity."
Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, could finish his United career by hoisting a European trophy, surrounded by jubilant teammates and with fireworks exploding around him. Still, it wouldn't be quite the end he would have envisioned after 13 years at the English club.
Rooney is set to be a substitute for United on Wednesday, a role which the club's captain and record scorer has become increasingly accustomed to this season. Depending on the situation in the match, he might not even come on.
That's how it's been for most of this season, watching from afar at a club where he was once the main man. Talk about United's key players ahead of a final that means so much to the English club, and many would say Marcus Rashford or Paul Pogba or Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Few would say Rooney.
That's the reason why this game might be his last for United despite having two years left on his contract, why he has been linked for much of the past few months with a return to former club Everton, a move to MLS in the United States, or a short spell in the Chinese league.
United is moving on under Jose Mourinho and Rooney is being left behind. Speculation grows that James Rodriguez will be moving to Old Trafford from Real Madrid, adding to the list of attackers who will be ahead of Rooney in the pecking order next season.
Ajax's youthful squad will not be overawed by the occasion when they face United on Wednesday, former Ajax and United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has said.
Despite an average age of 22, the Dutch side led by manager Peter Bosz have displayed no sign of nerves in beating Schalke 04 and Olympique Lyonnais to reach their first European final since 1996. "They have played the same system. They have the same philosophy and they know what to do when the game starts," Van der Sar told the Times.
Ajax have often had to sell their best players to richer rivals in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. And while 19-year-old striker Kasper Dolberg and captain Davy Klaassen have already linked with moves at the end of the season, Van der Sar said academy prospects were already groomed to replace any outgoing players.
"At a certain point, at 24-25, they are ready to take the next step to a different club and we know that. That is not a problem," he added.
"If our academy works well, then his follow-up is there already and pushing him out of the club because he wants to take his place.
"We will maybe lose one player in the summer but I think this team is going to stick around for a few years." — Agencies
