UNITED STARS IN VIRUS DRAMA
Friendly off at last minute as opposition player tests positive
MANCHESTER UNITED have been involved in a Covid-19 near-miss after a visiting Stoke City player tested positive before a practice game at Carrington.
The planned match was abandoned straight away,
with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stars including Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes locked down in another part of the their training complex unaware of the unfolding drama.
A United spokesperson last night insisted none of their men came into contact with any of the Stoke players.
The drama happened as Michael O’Neill and his Stoke players arrived at Carrington for the match yesterday.
Strict protocols meant the Potters were taken to the Academy building well away from the area where United’s players were getting ready.
But after arriving, results of tests taken by Stoke’s players on Monday as part of the EFL programme came through. It’s believed Stoke officials immediately alerted United’s medical team who made sure Solskjaer’s players were kept well away.
It’s unclear whether the player who tested positive left with his team-mates or in separate transport.
A training ground source said: “United’s players were getting ready but all of a sudden there was chaos as the positive test was confirmed.
“Stoke were rushed out of the Academy. United’s officials didn’t hang about – they had Stoke out of there.
“Fortunately, when they arrived, Stoke players had been taken to the ‘bio bubble’ and didn’t come into contact or even see any of United’s squad. It could have been a scary situation.”