Manchester United security team searched team coach for hidden bombs weeks before horror Borussia Dortmund blast
Specialist security staff were pictured carrying out bomb search before United's Europa League clash with Russian side FC Rostov
MAN United security teams were sweeping for hidden coach bombs just weeks before the Borussia Dortmund bomb blast.
Security chiefs were already on red alert last month as they used mirrors and metal detectors to check their team coach outside Manchester's five-star Lowry Hotel.
Specialist security staff were pictured carrying out a bomb search on March 16 - on the morning of their home Europa League 1-0 win over Russian side FC Rostov.
Using mirrors on sticks, the teams scanned underneath United's £400,000 double-decker 'Battle Bus' before the players boarded for an 11am warm-up session.
Today United are again on heightened terror alert as they jet to Brussels.
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Jose Mourinho and his Old Trafford outfit are set to face Anderlecht on Thursday night in the Europa League quarter-finals.
An on-looker told how weeks before the terrifying blast in Germany that hit Borussia Dortmund's team coach, United were already aware of the threat of team coach bombs.
He said: "We were wondering what they were doing at first until it became apparent they were sweeping for magnetic bombs placed under the coach.
"They were very thorough and were not treating it as a joke - it was a serious matter.
"Looking back on what happened in Germany this week, it was clear they were anticipating or preparing for such a terror plot."
United have used Wigan-based travel firm Eavesway for over a decade and hire a specifically designed luxury Van Hool TDX27 Astromega coach.
Last May it hit the headlines after the team coach was pelted by football yobs outside West Ham's former Upton Park stadium as they headed for a Premier League away match.
The vehicle carrying United's squad, management team and a handful of club officials was under siege by missiles while making its way along Green Street, beside the ground.