Man United boss Ole Solskjaer has hinted Manchester United could stop Bruno Fernandes from playing for Portugal later this month.
Due to ongoing coronavirus regulations, Bruno Fernandes and a number of Manchester United players might not be allowed to travel for the upcoming international break.
United look set to follow the lead of Premier League champions Liverpool.
The reigning champions have already said they will not allow players to travel to international matches in March if they have to quarantine on their return.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Wednesday they would make the most of FIFA giving clubs the option to prevent players who may be affected by the regulations from joining up with their countries.
Liverpool could have several first-teamers subject to 10 days’ hotel confinement under the current coronavirus guidelines after arrivals from red-list travel-ban countries.
Diogo Jota, an international teammate of Fernandes with Portugal, is among those set to be affected.
Solskjaer spoke about the incident and hinted United could follow the same route.
“We’ve not sat down and made a proper call on that one, but it doesn’t make sense if you lose your player for 10 days’ isolation,” he said to Sky Sports.
“We are the ones paying the players and from what I understand that is the rule, Fifa have given the rule they don’t have to be released so I would think that would be a hard call to make – to let them go and play in red-list countries.”
If Fernandes is allowed to play for Portugal against Azerbaijan, Serbia, and Luxembourg, it may result in him being absent for up to three fixtures for United between the 3rd and 10th of April.
Solskjaer added: “I want Bruno, of course, ready against Brighton and hopefully we are through in Europe and against Tottenham after that break. Of course, I do.”
Brazil defender Alex Telles and Uruguayan Edinson Cavani also fall into this category. However, the latter has a two-match international ban to serve, meaning he won’t have featured anyways.
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