Manchester United’s behind-closed-doors friendly with Stoke CANCELLED at the last minute after Potters boss Michael O’Neill was found positive for coronavirus as the squad were arriving at Carrington for the match
- Manchester United’s friendly with Stoke has been cancelled at the last minute
- The Red Devils were set to play the Championship side at Carrington on Tuesday
- But the game was called off as Stoke players started arriving at the facility
- Stoke have confirmed it was because Michael O’Neill tested positive for Covid-19
- United are due to return to Premier League action on June 19 at Tottenham
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Manchester United had to dramatically scrap a warm-up game at the last minute yesterday after Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill tested positive for coronavirus.
The two clubs were due to play each other at United’s Carrington training base ahead of next week’s restart, but the match was called off shortly before kick-off.
It’s understood that O’Neill, 50, was tested for the sixth time on Monday and his positive result came back from the EFL after the Stoke squad arrived at Carrington.
Manchester United’s friendly against Stoke on Tuesday night was cancelled at the last minute
It was because Stoke manager Michael O’Neill tested positive for coronavirus on Monday
The Championship team were preparing for the game in a different part of the training complex and United are satisfied that O’Neill, who will now go into isolation, did not come into contact with any of their players or staff.
The Stoke squad were still getting changed for the game when it was hastily cancelled and they were told to go home.
A club statement read: ‘Stoke City can confirm that manager Michael O’Neill has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following the latest round of testing on Monday. O’Neill had tested negative in the previous five rounds of testing.
‘He will now follow the relevant guidance and undergo a period of isolation, whilst continuing to be in regular virtual contact with his coaching staff and players.
‘Assistant manager Billy McKinlay will take charge of training as the Potters prepare for their game against Reading on June 20.’
United are back in training with the Premier League season due to resume next Wednesday
Solskjaer’s squad were split into two teams and played a friendly at Old Trafford last weekend
United went ahead and organised an inter-squad game instead, similar to the one played at Old Trafford on Saturday morning.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who resume their Premier League campaign at Tottenham in nine days’ time, are still hoping to play another friendly against West Brom on Friday but it’s said that their opponents would prefer a fixture closer to the Midlands.
