Tottenham host Manchester United on Sunday and one of the big talking points ahead of the game has nothing to do with football and all to do with the coronavirus.
The Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal fell foul to coronavirus fears this evening after Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who recently visited the Gunners, tested positive.
But the Premier League fixtures at the weekend remain unaffected and will go ahead with fans allowed to watch their sides as normal.
This comes despite France and Spain deciding to play games behind closed doors, while Italy have suspended sporting events.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was naturally asked about the coronavirus ahead of his side's Europa League clash at LASK, which will be played behind closed doors, before facing Spurs and he had plenty to say.
“I would understand, yes, under the circumstances,” Solskjaer told the MEN about the prospect of playing games behind closed doors or even suspending the season. “Of course it’s up to the experts to decide and the main concern must be the health of the general public and the decision that will be made we will back.
“The players are focused and just concentrating on the job, of course these are difficult circumstances, not just for football but in the whole society. For us, we just have to do what we’re told, and get on with the game if that’s what the authorities think we should do. They’ve been the same, they’ve prepared for the game as we normally do.
“We’re gonna have to create our own atmosphere within the team and within the game, they are used to training with no spectators anyway and we do have some behind closed doors friendlies at times. And I am in no doubt that my players are focused, that we are ready to perform even if there are no spectators there. But it’ll be strange.
"Without fans we’re nothing anyway. The game should always be for them. It’s still gonna be on the telly. But tomorrow or next week we might get a different message or next week or in two weeks’ time.
"Of course it is a difficult situation, but the boys have been very good, just focusing on the job at hand and that’s what we have to do as a club.
“We have not had any tests. That will be for the experts and our doctor, if he decides to, but we have had no reason so far, from my understanding."
