Odion Ighalo has been banned from Manchester United training ground over fears of a potential coronavirus risk after joining on loan from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
The deal is until the end of the season, but is yet to make his debut, and in the meantime has been working with a personal trainer at a different location in Manchester.
The striker has been told to train away due to health and safety issues, especially with the news that a third case has been confirmed of the virus in England.
Ighalo hasn’t travel with his teammates to a warm weather training camp in Spain because of concerns border restrictions could be tightened on travellers who have been in China within the past 14 days, which potentially affects his re-entry to the UK.
It’s unlikely that Ighalo has been exposed to coronavirus but United felt they couldn’t take any risks, while the risk of infection was possible.
Explaining Ighalo’s absence, Solskjaer said: “Odion will stay in Manchester, because since he has come from China in the last 14 days, the news of the virus there means we’re not sure if he’s going to be allowed back into England if he leaves the country again.
“So he’s staying here working with a personal coach on an individual programme and his family then can settle in England as well. That’s a plus.
“Of course, he might have liked to have come with the players and got to know them, but we don’t want to take that risk [of potential border restrictions tightening].”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already confirmed former Nigeria international Ighalo will travel with the squad to face Chelsea in the Premier League and is expected to be named in the 18-man squad.
Fans gave their reaction after finding out that Odion Ighalo has been banned from Manchester United training ground…
Knowing our medical team, they’ll say he doesn’t have it and he’ll end up infecting everyone apart from Lingard, Pereira and Solksjaer.
— Sam Cane? (@Sammcanee) February 12, 2020
— Harrison Rogers (@harriso38412824) February 12, 2020
Unfortunate situation, feel bad for Ighalo but precautions matter.
— ?? (@likeitlmao) February 12, 2020
I thought he passed the medical test….?????
— S. Gidy (@s_gidy) February 13, 2020
United’s recruitment team managed to sign a man who could potentially wipe out the entire first team squad. I mean I’ve heard of some bad signings in my time but…
— Lyle (@afclyle) February 12, 2020
De gea won't catch it
— James nellist (@james_nellist) February 12, 2020
Scenes when he sneezes. pic.twitter.com/k7EurstOUW
— Calv (@beeky_chastard) February 13, 2020
Ighalo finally get to train with #ManUtd pic.twitter.com/IU1rgtrs5L
— Ørjan (@oao76) February 13, 2020
They should have tested him before the transfer
— OLAMILEKAN ™ (@Loccoreal) February 13, 2020
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