Plane carrying Fenerbahce squad makes emergency landing ahead of Man Utd clash
Wednesday 19 October 2016 16:04, UK
The plane carrying the Fenerbahce first-team squad to Manchester ahead of their Europa League tie at Old Trafford was forced to make an emergency landing in Hungary.
The aircraft was diverted to Budapest airport on Wednesday afternoon after a bird cracked the front windshield shortly after take-off.
Fenerbahce confirmed the news on their official Twitter page and added: "There is nothing alarming."
Former United striker Robin van Persie, who is preparing to face his old club for the first time since leaving in 2015, was among the travelling party.
"A Borajet 195/200 long range type of aircraft, registration number TC/YAT, made a successful emergency landing here shortly after midday," Budapest airport's spokesman Mihaly Hardy told AFP.
"The Fenerbahce players were on board and are now safely waiting in the terminal building for another aircraft, on which they will continue their journey to England."
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Meanwhile, Morgan Schneiderlin and Anthony Martial could return from injury for United against the Turkish side, after taking a full part in training on Wednesday.
The pair missed United's goalless draw away at Liverpool on Monday Night Football after sustaining knocks in training last weekend.
However, both could feature for United against Fenerbahce on Thursday, with manager Jose Mourinho likely to rotate his squad ahead of the Super Sunday clash against Chelsea, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm.
