Pep must isolate for 14 days on return from Barcelona trip

PEP GUARDIOLA will be required to quarantine upon his return to the UK after travelling to Barcelona but will be available for the start of Manchester City’s pre-season campaign.

A photograph of the City boss in Catalonia emerged on social media yesterday which, according to Government guidelines, means Guardiola (right) will have to self-isolate for 14 days when he lands back in Manchester.

The bulk of City’s first-team players are not due to return to pre-season training until the week after next due to their involvement in forthcoming international matches. With that in mind, City, who are aware of the photo, insist Guardiola’s selfisolation period will not impact on their preparations for the new season. Players won’t start reporting for duty until the latter stages of the week commencing September 7 because of their international commitments. Government guidelines state that anyone arriving from Spain to the UK must quarantine for 14 days. The Premier League season starts on September 12 but City’s first is not until nine days later.

Last year’s runners-up face Wolves in their opener after the Premier League ruled they could start their season later due to their involvement in the latter stages of the Champions League last month.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have confirmed Paul Pogba will miss part of their preparations having tested positive for coronavirus. Nemanja Matic and Aaron Wan-Bissaka must also self-isolate after travelling to Serbia and Dubai respectively — meaning they too will be absent for the start of pre-season.