BARCELONA’S players believe Manchester United have improved since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009.

There will be no restrictions in Irish airspace caused by the Icelandic ash cloud for at least the next 24 hours, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has said.

The air transport industry was beset by confusion and arguments today as passengers braced themselves for days of uncertainty caused by Iceland’s latest volcanic ash cloud.

Volcanic ash could force the cancellation of up to 500 commercial flights in parts of the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, the European air traffic agency said today.

The ash cloud from the erupting volcano in Iceland has swept over western Norway and Denmark, stalling air traffic in part of Norway and causing delays in Copenhagen, officials said.

Ryanair bosses are to meet air-safety officials today in a bid to have flight restrictions lifted, after the airline, as well as Aer Lingus and easyJet, were forced to cancel flights as a new ash cloud made its way towards the UK.

London's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) has said that, while there is a risk that some ash cloud may reach parts of northern Europe in the next 24 hours, no flight disruption is expected in Irish airspace.

Ash from the erupting Icelandic volcano halted a single flight over Greenland today, but the most of it was expected to blow north of Scandinavia and disrupt few, if any, flights over Europe.

ASH from an erupting Icelandic volcano could reach northern Scotland by tomorrow and parts of Britain, France and Spain by Thursday or Friday if the eruption continues at the same intensity, airlines were warned yesterday.

Iceland closed its main international airport and cancelled domestic flights today as a powerful volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles into the air.

Iceland’s most active volcano has started erupting, scientists said – just over a year after another eruption on the North Atlantic island shut down European air traffic for days.

Scientists are closely monitoring an Icelandic volcano as melted glacial ice pouring from its crater may trigger an eruption.