NORTHERN Ireland midfielder Oliver Norwood has expressed his devastation at the terror attack at Manchester Arena that killed 22 people on Monday night.

The Burnley-born midfielder has close ties with the city, having spent time as a youngster with Manchester United as well as being brought up in the North West.

Norwood, currently with Northern Ireland on international duty, said the city was like a second home to him and he had found it difficult to think about what had happened on Monday night.

"I spent a lot of time in the city and it's like a second home to me," said the 26-year-old.

"It's devastating to think that young children who went to a concert did not come home to their parents.

"Growing up not far from Manchester in Burnley, 20 miles away, I spent a lot of time of Manchester in my own childhood.

"It's difficult to think about what happened because it's madness."