BT Sport and MUTV axe pundits and pre-match Manchester United vs Real Sociedad coverage

BT Sport and Manchester United's in-house TV channel MUTV did not provide any pre-match coverage or analysis ahead of tonight's Europa League clash against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen died peacefully at the age of 96 at Balmoral in Scotland on Thursday afternoon, it was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6:30pm this evening.

The statement issued said: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

READ MORE: Manchester United vs Real Sociedad LIVE

Following confirmation of her sad passing, United issued a statement to confirm that tonight's Europa League opener with Sociedad would go ahead as planned, but a minute's silence would be held in her memory ahead of kick-off. It was also confirmed that the players would wear black armbands.

However, despite confirmation of the match going ahead as scheduled, kicking-off at 8pm, BT Sport and MUTV did not provide any of their usual pre-match analysis and punditry out of respect for the situation. BT shared a pre-recorded interview between Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, before showing highlights of Italian football from Serie A, and then switching to live match coverage just before kick off.

Moments after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen's death, BT Sport issued a statement, saying: "Everyone at BT Sport is extremely saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. A lifetime of public service leaves us with an enormous debt of gratitude.

"Our sympathies are with the Royal Family."

MUTV, meanwhile, fell silent, displaying a picture of the Queen and later tonight's teamsheet. A few minutes