- Manchester United’s latest signing, Odion Ighalo, has been forced to train away from the club’s other players amid coronavirus fears, according to the BBC.
- Ighalo joined United from the Chinese side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua at the end of last month, but he has since been confined to training alone at the National Taekwondo Center.
- The BBC reported that he had been omitted from United’s winter training camp in Spain over worries he might not be able to reenter the UK.
- Official advice on travelers coming to the UK from China is that they should quarantine themselves for 14 days.
- Ighalo arrived in the UK 11 days ago and is in United’s squad to face Chelsea on Monday at Stamford Bridge, where he could make his debut.
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Manchester United’s latest signing, Odion Ighalo, has been forced to train away from the club’s other players amid fears he may have the coronavirus.
The BBC reports that the former Chinese Super League striker has been omitted from United’s winter training camp in Spain.
The report says the club made the decision because of the risk posed by the virus and concerns Ighalo might not be allowed back in the UK should he travel.
Ighalo joined United on loan from Shanghai Greenland Shenhua at the end of January; however, he has since been confined to training alone at the National Taekwondo Center, a short distance from Old Trafford, according to the BBC.
The Nigerian striker will continue to train in the UK while his teammates are in the Costa del Sol.
Travelers coming to the UK from China are officially advised to quarantine themselves for 14 days. Ighalo landed in the country 11 days ago, meaning he will most likely be free to join up with the rest of United's squad at the weekend.
The 30-year-old has also been named in United's squad to face Chelsea on Monday night at Stamford Bridge, where manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he could debut.
"We will just see his fitness work this week, and I think we will get him sharp," Solskjaer said, according to NBC Sports.
"We want to integrate him as quickly as we can because, of course, he is desperate to play for us."
The death toll in China from the coronavirus is now more than 1,360, while more than 60,000 people have been infected. Nine cases have been reported in the UK.
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