MANCHESTER UNITED have officially ended their £40million sponsorship deal with Russian national airline Aeroflot.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to United pulling the plug on their nine-year association with the official team carrier.

A Manchester United spokesperson said: "In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot's sponsorship rights.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."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently revealed Aeroflot was banned from UK airspace.

Britain is also freezing the UK assets of Russian titans in banking and arms manufacturing, and sanctioning five more oligarchs.

Reports first emerged yesterday that United were considering ditching their deal with Aeroflot.

The two parties first teamed up back in 2013, with Aeroflot acting as the club's official carrier ever since.

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They then penned a deal for the sponsorship to continue in a deal worth £40million back in 2017.

That was set to run until 2023, until today's announcement saw the contract cancelled early.

It's claimed the club are now exploring other official airline partnerships, with Qatar Airways a possible alternative.

The club's Aeroflot flight to Madrid was cancelled in midweek as a result of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Ralf Rangnick's men instead scrambled a plane from UK-based charter airline Titan Airways to head to Spain for their Champions League tie.

United's share price has also plummeted since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine.

Elsewhere Russia have been stripped from hosting this year's Champions League final, and the Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi.

Paris' Stade de France has been chosen by Uefa to host the showpiece final instead of St Petersburg.

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