Manchester United and Ajax are in Stockholm for the Europa League final
Manchester United players and staff have paid tribute to the victims of the terror attack in Manchester ahead of their Europa League final.
#WeStandTogether pic.twitter.com/Ro0ohU9PI6
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 23, 2017
The English giants take on Dutch youngsters Ajax in Sweden as they aim for a route into next season’s Champions League.
Jose Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford will be deemed by many as a failure unless they lift the trophy, and a second straight season outside the European could affect their ability to recruit talent.
Their opponents have also reflected on the tragedy in Manchester ahead of the match at the Friends Arena.
#Ajax begon de training met een minuut stilte ter nagedachtenis aan de slachtoffers van de aanslag in Manchester.#UELfinal #ajaman pic.twitter.com/M3dyzEvinI
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 23, 2017
Despite an average age of 22, the side managed by Peter Bosz have displayed no sign of nerves in beating Schalke 04 and Olympique Lyonnais to reach their first European final since 1996.
Security is tight in Stockholm, and the Swedish Football Association said the city was already on high alert after Sweden suffered an attack in April when a truck drove into a crowd killing five people.