Manchester United changed their travel plans for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid in Spain amid concerns about flying with Russian airline Aeroflot while tensions are escalating in Ukraine.United regularly fly to European matches with Aeroflot under their longstanding commercial partnership, but on this occasion their charter flight to Spain — where they face Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night — was cancelled.Ralf Rangnick and his players instead travelled with a charter airline, UK-based Titan Airways, and were due to arrive in Madrid on Tuesday evening.Sources at Old Trafford indicated this decision was made “mutually” with Aeroflot and that their commercial partnership remains intact. The Athletic has contacted Aeroflot for comment.The development came on a day that the Prime Minister announced a series of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.Boris Johnson also said the events of the past 24 hours made it “inconceivable” that this season’s Champions League final could take place in Zenit St Petersburg.UEFA said it was “closely monitoring” the situation.“In regards to the 2022 UEFA Champions League final in St Petersburg, UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation and any decision would be made in due course if necessary,” European football’s governing body said.(Photo: Getty Images)
