Manchester United FC have formally written to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, expressing their commiserations after an aeroplane carrying the professional ice hockey team crashed in Russia on Wednesday, killing 43 of the 45 passengers on board. Brining back painful memories of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, United offered their sympathies to all affected by the tragedy, claiming the lives of 36 players and staff of the Russian sporting team.
 
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) were on their way to start the new hockey season in Minsk, Belarus, when the aircraft struck a tower mast and crashed near Yaroslavl, Russia. Only 2 people survived the horrific incident, which left 43 dead. Just 1 of the 26 players is still alive following the crash, in which all 11 staff perished. 1 flight crew member withstood the disaster, leaving 7 other airline personnel dead. 
 
Executive David Gill felt 'compelled' to offer the condolences of everyone at Old Trafford, after the plane crash sparked flashbacks to the club's bleak chapter in history when over 50 years ago, 23 of 44 travellers on board succumbed to an accident on the runway of the Munich-Riem Airport in West Germany. Since that tragic occurrence in 1958, air safety has vastly improved, but flight failures are all to common to Russia and it's surroundings. 

From Manchester, With Sympathy.