Normally they are fierce rivals on the pitch but after the appalling events of this week, Manchester's two Premier League football teams have joined forces in support of victims of the terrorist bomb attack at the MEN Arena.

Terror attack at the MEN Arena

Earlier this week the country was shocked by the news that a suicide bomber had detonated an IED ( Improvised Explosive Device) at the end of a concert by American star Ariana Grande. The explosion claimed 22 lives, many of them young children, and injured many more.

The people of Manchester immediately began to show their compassion by offering help to the victims; free taxi rides, rooms for the night, calls to alert loved ones and the like.

In a show of solidarity sports teams also showed respect for the victims by holding a minute's silence at sporting fixtures, Manchester United and Ajax in Stockholm before the Europa League Final and England and South Africa at Headingley before the one-day cricket international.

We Love Manchester

Only a day after the attack the MEN set up a crowd-funded campaign with the slogan #westandtogether and this fund has already raised over £1 million.

The two Manchester footballing giants have joined forces to pledge £1 million to the 'We Love Manchester Emergency Fund' which was set up by the British Red Cross to aid survivors of the attack and help families of those who lost their lives and United's Wayne Rooney has pledged a huge £100,000 from his own foundation.

The support of Manchester's sports teams does not stop there though. Salford Red Devils Rugby League team have announced that the entry fee for their fixture against the Catalan Dragons tomorrow night will be voluntary and all proceeds will be donated to the families of victims.

Chairman of Manchester City, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, has stated that everyone is humbled by the strength and solidarity shown by the people of Manchester since the attack.

Strength in unity

Ed Woodward, executive chairman of Manchester United, said that the clubs are at the heart of the Manchester community and "it is right that we present a unified response to this tragedy."

There is no question that the bombing was a horrendous event and there can be little positive that can be drawn from it. But if there is anything, it will be the indomitable spirit of the Mancunians and their ability to draw together and gain strength and hope from their generosity of spirit.