Manchester United’s preparations for the Premier League return have been curtailed, after their scheduled friendly with Stoke had to be cancelled due to Potters’ head coach Michael O’Neill testing positive for coronavirus.
With the English top flight set to return on 17 June and the Championship shortly after, teams around the country have been arranged bounce matches against teams in geographical proximity.
United and Stoke were set to go head-to-head before O’Neill tested positive at United's Carrington training base. The friendly was swiftly cancelled with no members of the United staff or playing squad coming into contact with their colleagues at Stoke.
The Championship side released a statement following the discovery:
“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,” the statement read.
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“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.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s outfit are currently fifth in the Premier League and return to action on June 19 against former head coach Jose Mourinho and his Tottenham side.
Stoke, meanwhile, are still looking over their shoulders in the Championship as they are just three points clear of the relegation zone in 17th.
Paul Pogba 
Marcus Rashford 
Anthony Martial 
David De Gea 
Man Utd 
Stoke