Manchester United and Watford display banner calling for peace in Russia-Ukraine crisis

Players from Manchester United and Watford have displayed solidarity amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Before their Premier League meeting at Old Trafford started, the two teams joined together to display a banner calling for 'peace' after Russia invaded their bordering southern neighbours early on Thursday morning.

Fighting continues across Ukrainian towns cities as people across the world protest against the alarming events.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick - whose previous role before arriving at Old Trafford came in Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow - has been credited as the initiator behind the banner. Upon its display, there was collective applause from United and Watford supporters inside the stadium.

The banner featured the word 'peace' written in several languages.

United have already taken action in response to the ongoing crisis in eastern Europe.

Indeed, the Premier League giants ended their association with Russian company Aeroflot on Friday morning after the airline were, on Thursday, prevented from flying into the UK by the Government.

Aeroflot started the partnership with United in 2013 and the now-terminated agreement was renewed in 2017 by chief executive Richard Arnold - who served as the club's group managing director before taking that role.

An official MUFC statement on that read: "In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot's sponsorship rights. We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected."

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