United in scare
MANCHESTER UNITED stars have been involved in a Covid-19 near miss after a visiting Stoke player tested positive before a practice game at Carrington.
The match was immediately abandoned, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, including Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, locked down in another part of the AON training complex unaware of the drama.
An Old Trafford spokesperson last night insisted none of their stars came into contact
with any of the Stoke players who were immediately forced to leave the site.
A training ground source said: “United’s players were getting ready for the game but all of a sudden there was chaos as the positive test was confirmed.
“Stoke were rushed out of the Academy very quickly. United’s officials didn’t hang about – they had Stoke out of there quickly.
“Fortunately, when they first arrived, Stoke players had been taken to the ‘bio bubble’ area at the Academy building which is where testing of players is usually carried out.
“Because of that they didn’t come into contact or even see any of United’s squad.”
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GARETH SOUTHGATE believes the Covid-19 crisis has seen some of his stars grow from boys into men.
The England boss heaped praise on the likes of Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-arnold for their reaction to the virus that has rocked the globe and shaken the game to its foundations.
Top-level football was suspended in March but is due to resume next week following three months of lockdown.
During that time a host of players have decided to use their power and influence to help those in need.
Manchester United stars Rashford, 22, and Maguire, 27, have been heavily involved in campaigns in and around their community to help raise funds for frontline workers and those suffering financial problems.
Liverpool captain Jordan
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