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Manchester United today were forced to cancel their friendly with Stoke at the last minute after the Championship side’s manager Michael O’Neill (50) tested positive for coronavirus.
The sides were due to meet at United’s Carrington training centre but the match was immediately abandoned without kicking a ball when the Northern Irishman tested positive, with United insisting none of their squad came into contact with him.
United had been stepping up their preparations for the Premier League’s resumption on 17 June with their first game against Tottenham next Friday, and it appears the squad still trained after Stoke left Carrington, according to Sky Sports News.
O’Neill was showing no symptoms of the virus when he got news of his positive test.
“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 (June 8),” the Potteries club said in a statement.
“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.
Manchester United insist none of their squad came into contact with the infected Stoke boss.
In the latest round of Premier League coronavirus testing, there were no new positive cases confirmed.
The Premier League say they tested 1,195 players and club staff for COVID-19 on Thursday June 4 and Friday June 5.
This was the sixth round of testing and the second time there have been zero positives, with just one positive in total in the last three rounds.
Testing will continue on a twice-weekly basis.