CORONAVIRUS: FOOTBALL SUSPENDED

Reds chief Woodward and manager Solskjaer respond to decision to halt football amid virus fears/

UNITED have broken their silence on the suspension of their upcoming Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League games, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

United’s scheduled games against Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and LASK have all been postponed as the English and European football authorities take measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Some Premier League players have already tested positive for the illness, while others are in self-isolation. United players Odion Ighalo and Scott McTominay were pictured arriving at the club’s Carrington training bases covering their faces.

United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward admitted there were some things bigger than football and endorsed the suspensions that were decided by the EFL and UEFA.

Woodward said: ”While it is disappointing to see the season paused, we recognise there are bigger considerations as part of the need to help slow the spread of coronavirus.”

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added: ”I would like to thank our fans for their tremendous support so far this season and we look forward to welcoming them back to Old Trafford as soon as is safely possible.”

United go into the break on an 11-game unbeaten run with their most recent game a 5-0 drubbing of LASK in the Europa League last 16 first leg – which was played behind closed doors as a COVID-19 precaution.

United confirmed in a statement on their website that new fixture dates for the postponed games will be announced as soon as possible, with the next scheduled game due to be away at Brighton on April 4 in the Premier League.

It said: “It is currently planned that the postponements will allow the games to eventually go ahead with supporters in attendance, in which case existing tickets would remain valid. Further information on this will be provided to supporters as soon as more details are known.”