Manchester United 'deeply shocked' by arena bombing

Manchester United expressed its sympathy Tuesday to those affected by a suicide bombing at a pop concert at the Manchester Arena on Monday that killed at least 22 people, including children, and injured a further 59.

The attack, the most deadly in the United Kingdom in over a decade, occurred at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande, whose music attracts a younger audience. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, in which an improvised explosive device was detonated at about 10:30 p.m. local time.

"Everyone at Manchester United is deeply shocked by last night's terrible events," read a statement. "Our thought and prayers go out to all those affected, including our supporters, club staff, and members of our community such as the children from our Manchester United Foundation partner schools who were attending the concert at the arena."

United declared its club staff are ready to help the police and other emergency services "in any ways that may be required at this challenging time for our city." Old Trafford's Megastore, Museum, Red Cafe, and stadium tour were closed to the public Tuesday.

United is scheduled to play AFC Ajax on Wednesday in the final of the Europa League, and Jose Mourinho acknowledged the Red Devils will travel to Sweden with heavy hearts. The club's players held a minute's silence at training, according to the Guardian.

"We're all very sad about the tragic events last night; we can't take out of our minds and hearts the victims and their families," Mourinho said. "We have a job to do and will fly to Sweden to do that job. It's a pity we cannot fly with the happiness we always have before a big game."

Players, past and current, were quick to express their sympathies on Twitter in the aftermath of the bombing.