Manchester United Cancel Training Following Latest Government Update on Coronavirus

Manchester United have confirmed that the first team, women's team and academy players will continue their training away from club facilities for the time being, following the UK government's recent update on their plans to counter the coronavirus outbreak.

With the virus continuing to spread, it was announced on Friday that there would be no Premier League, EFL or Women's Super League action until at least April 4. This decision was made just a matter of hours after the Premier League had revealed that all top flight matches would go ahead as planned on the weekend of Saturday 14 March. 

Despite the news that ​Premier League football had been suspended until early April, ​Manchester United intended to ​continue training as normal at the AON Training Complex. The club were further deciding whether to arrange matches behind closed doors against other teams at their training ground.

However, following prime minister Boris Johnson's latest update on the coronavirus on Monday, United have taken to their ​official website to confirm that that players will continue their training away from club facilities for the time being as a precaution. 

The statement read: "We continue to review the coronavirus situation day by day, but in light of the latest governmental guidance, and as a sensible precaution, the first team, women's team and Academy players will now be training individually, away from club facilities."

Samuel Luckhurst of ​the Manchester Evening News has explained that United players have provisionally been given three days off, while they have also been issued personalised fitness programmes to follow. A United spokesperson told the MEN: “In light of governmental advice and the evolving situation the team are not returning to training today.”

This decision was made after Johnson revealed on Monday that people should avoid unnecessary contact.  

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi are among those to have tested positive for COVID-19, although both have since provided positive updates on their wellbeing. 

But due to this, both clubs have undertaken measures to ensure the virus does not spread. Elsewhere, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Friday that three players were in self-isolation after displaying symptoms. 

Following the decision to suspend play, Premier League clubs will meet on Thursday to discuss plans for the rest of the season.