Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Fred and Edinson Cavani that they should put the club outside the country during this international break because of the possibility of a 10-day quarantine in a British hotel.
Solskjaer believes Manchester United and their South American internationals have been placed in an “impossible situation” because of the quarantine rules that have created a tug-of-war between federations and clubs.
The Premier League and La Liga released statements earlier this month supporting their clubs’ decisions not to release players for international service in Red List countries that would require hotel quarantine on return – due to the Covid-19 Provisions.
That means Fred will not leave with Brazil and Edinson Cavani will be denied the chance to extend his 123 caps for Uruguay as things stand.
There are currently three World Cup qualifiers scheduled for South American nations in the upcoming international break, which means the players won’t return until Friday before United face Newcastle at the earliest.
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A 10-day quarantine would exclude them from the Premier League games against the Magpies and West Ham and the Champions League opener in Switzerland against the Young Boys. Solskjaer said they could expect to miss another two weeks to get fit again if the players were forced into quarantine.
He said, “I don’t want to be the manager who always groans, but the fact is that if you spend 10 days in a hotel quarantine with no chance to exercise, you have no chance of maintaining your fitness, then you still will It takes 10-14 days to get fit again and then you have to fly again.
“It’s an impossible situation for the clubs, it’s an impossible situation for the players. We understand that there are rules here and there are more general problems so we have to follow the rules and move on with them.”
“I don’t want to be the moan but if I had the choice to play for Norway or for Man United I know who my employer is. Yes, it’s my country, but the rules are the same as for the moment. Anyway, I’m no longer a player. “
Affected countries are still hoping for a solution and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging Britain to relax quarantine rules for those affected.
Solskjaer believes a solution would work for all parties but said United will stick to the final decision.
“The Premier League made the decision it made, La Liga of course were all hoping for a solution but we are leaving that to the authorities,” he said.
“It’s the beginning of a very, very difficult and long season, a very important season. We’ll see what happens and hopefully there is a solution. We just have to follow the rules.”
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