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Manchester United To Block Bruno Fernandes From Linking Up With Portugal For World Cup Qualifiers

Manchester United To Block Bruno Fernandes From Linking Up With Portugal For World Cup Qualifiers

Man United star Bruno Fernandes would need to quarantine for 10 days in a hotel upon his return to the UK should he link up with Portugal.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that Bruno Fernandes might be prevented from linking up with Portugal for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.

Fernando Santos' Portugal side are in Group A and feature alongside Serbia, the Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.

And the 2016 European Championship winners will kick off their World Cup qualification campaign against Azerbaijan on 24th March.

However, the UK's current coronavirus restrictions would mean that Premier League stars travelling for matches in 'red list' countries would need to quarantine for 10 days in a hotel upon their return.

Speaking after United's lacklustre 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Solskjaer admitted that the club have not made a "proper call" on Fernandes' situation with Portugal.

However, the 48-year-old Norwegian hinted that it would be a "hard call" to let United players leave and play in any countries on the UK's red list.

Solskjaer told reporters: "Well, we've not sat down and made a proper call on that one, but it doesn't make sense if you lose your player for 10 days isolation, of course it doesn't.

PA

PA

PA

"We're the ones paying the players and from what I understand, FIFA have given the rules that [players] don't have to be released.

"So, I would think that's going to be a hard call to make to let them go and play in red list countries, yeah."

According to GOV.UK, there are currently 33 countries on the UK's red list at the time of this writing.

One of those countries includes Portugal, with the clash against Azerbaijan scheduled to be played at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

Fernandes, who has been praised since his arrival last January, has carried over his scintillating form in the current season and has scored an impressive 22 times.

However, the 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder was criticised for his performance against Palace at Selhurst Park.

United's fixtures post-international break include Brighton at Old Trafford and an away trip to Tottenham.

When asked if he wanted Fernandes to stay put at United, Solskjaer responded: "I want Bruno, of course.

"I want him ready against Brighton and again, hopefully, that we're through in Europe and against Tottenham after that break, of course I do."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Portugal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, World Cup