MANCHESTER UNITED TO PLAY WEST BROM IN TWO FRIENDLY MATCHES AS SOLSKJAER'S SIDE PREPARE FOR RETURN

Manchester United will press ahead with plans to face West Brom in an Old Trafford friendly on Friday despite this week's coronavirus scare.

United's planned meeting with Stoke at their Carrington training base was cancelled at short notice on Tuesday after Michael O'Neill, the Championship club's manager, learned he had tested positive for Covid-19.

It is now thought O'Neill never actually entered Carrington, having turned his car around soon after he was told his results. United are also satisfied none of the Stoke players came into contact with theirs.

Nevertheless, the academy complex at Carrington was closed for 72 hours and will be deep cleaned in line with club protocols.

United's meeting with West Brom, who are second in the Championship, will comprise two separate matches, likely to last at least an hour each, to give as many players as possible the chance to build fitness ahead of next week's restart.

At this stage, it is not clear whether O'Neill will be able to take charge of Stoke's first game back, against Reading on June 20.

Sportsmail understands O'Neill did not have any symptoms, which under EFL protocols would mean he 'must exclude from training for 10 days and return on day 11.' In this instance, 'day 11' would be the date of the Reading fixture at Madejski Stadium.

After the mandatory 10-day isolation period, O'Neill would 'be under strict surveillance' for the next four days and if he develops symptoms, he would have to isolate for a further seven days. O'Neill's assistant Billy McKinlay is currently in charge of training.

Players and staff involved in behind-closed-doors friendlies have had to follow strict rules to reduce the virus risk. Competitors must make their way to the matches in their own cars, wearing their kit, with use dressing rooms and showers forbidden.