Fenerbahce forced to land en route to Manchester after bird hits team plane

Fenerbahce's plane transporting them from Turkey for Thursday's Europa League clash at Manchester United has been forced into an unscheduled landing in Budapest.

A message posted on the club's official Twitter page just before midday on Wednesday said a forced landing was made in the Hungarian capital after a bird struck the aircraft's windscreen.

Kafilemizi Manchester'a götüren uçağın camına kuş çarpması nedeniyle, uçak Budapeşte'ye zorunlu iniş yaptı. Endişe verici bir durum yok. pic.twitter.com/tYhUWp2omJ

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) October 19, 2016

The message was accompanied by photographs apparently of the plane's windscreen, with the glass covered in cracks.

Fenerbahce added in the message: "There is nothing alarming".

The club is scheduled to hold a press conference at Old Trafford at 6pm on Wednesday, followed by a training session, ahead of Thursday's Group A match.

Wishing you a safe trip for the rest of your journey to Manchester. See you soon!

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 19, 2016

Manchester United replied to Fenerbahce with a tweet from their official account.

"Wishing you a safe trip for the rest of your journey to Manchester. See you soon!" the message read.