Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Covid-19 outbreak are 'frightening'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Covid-19 outbreaks at other Premier League clubs are ‘frightening’ but insists football must continue through the pandemic after Facundo Pellistri tested positive for coronavirus

  • Manchester United play Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday night in FA Cup
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Covid-19 outbreak in football is ‘frightening’
  • But he said United feel safe within their ‘bubble’ and the matches must continue
  • Youngster Facundo Pellistri revealed he had tested positive for coronavirus
  • But Pellistri had not been part of Solskjaer’s first-team fold at the time 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Covid outbreaks at other Premier League clubs are ‘frightening’ but wants football to continue through the rest of the pandemic.

A resurgence of the virus in the form of a new variant has plunged the country back into crisis and led to the postponement of a number of matches.

It has already impacted the FA Cup third round weekend with Aston Villa set to play their Under-23s against Liverpool. 

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted the Covid-19 outbreaks at other Premier League clubs are ‘frightening’ but insists football must continue

United player Facundo Pellistri revealed that he had tested positive for Covid-19 

Solskjaer is alarmed at the situation but the Manchester United boss believes football has played an important part in people’s daily lives during lockdown.

‘First of all, you’re worried about what’s happening in society and the country – it’s a big thing,’ he said.

‘I personally feel safe within our bubble. We’ve taken all the steps we’ve had to following protocols and guidelines, and the players have been following as well as we can.

Aston Villa will be able to field a team made up of youth players for their FA Cup tie on Friday

United will be looking to bounce back from their midweek EFL Cup semi-final loss to Man City

Man United fixtures 

Premier League unless stated

Saturday Watford (H)

FA Cup third round

Tuesday Burnley (A)

January 17 Liverpool (A)

January 20 Fulham (A)

January 27 Sheffield United (H)

January 30 Arsenal (A)

‘What’s happening outside is frightening and we have a responsibility and duty to steer clear and keep within the bubbles.

‘I hope we can continue playing because it’s a positive impact for anyone. I feel at home when you don’t have a game yourself, you’re looking forward to watching a game on telly. The mental well-being of football has been a big positive, I think.’

Facundo Pellistri revealed that he has tested positive for Covid, and Solskjaer confirmed that the young Uruguayan winger is the only United player currently affected.

‘We’ve had the odd case and Facundo got a positive, so he reported that on his Twitter,’ added Solskjaer.

‘We don’t normally comment on who they are but Facundo is well and hopefully he’ll be back with us soon.

‘He’s been with the reserves and Under-23s and wasn’t really in our group over Christmas. Apart from that, we have a full and fit squad.’




Share this article


Source: Read Full Article