Ighalo Misses Manchester United's Training Trip To Spain Over Fear Of Coronavirus Border Controls

Odion Ighalo

Manchester United new boy, Odion Ighalo misses the club's training sessions in Spain over the fear that he might not be allowed to return back to England.

The former Watford striker who joined United from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on loan until the end of the season was left out because of issues relating to the coronavirus, which has affected thousands in China and caused hundreds of deaths.

United was concerned to travel restrictions might be introduced that could affect Ighalo since he was living in China until last week he moved to Manchester United

In an interview with MUTV, Manchester United manager  Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described the club's decision as "a precautionary measure".

He 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]."

The 30-year-old could make his United debut in the Premier League match at Stanford Bridge on February 17.