Solskjaer warns Cavani, Fred they must put Man Utd first

Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged any players wanting to go on international duty to a red-list country to think again.

The Premier League announced on Tuesday that clubs will not release players for international matches played next month in countries on the UK Government’s red list.

The Premier League said in a statement that the decision by its clubs, reached “reluctantly but unanimously”, was one it “strongly supported” and that it applied to nearly 60 players from 19 clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries.

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The issue of players travelling to red-list countries needing to quarantine for 10 days in a managed hotel after flying back to Britain is exacerbated by FIFA’s recent decision to extend the September and October international windows in South America by two days to catch up on postponed fixtures.

Edinson Cavani and Fred – who would be forced to quarantine – want to represent their countries over the international break and Solskjaer admits it’s an “impossible situation” for players and clubs.

Solskjaer said: “I don’t want to be the manager who always moans, but it’s a fact that if you have to have 10 days in a hotel quarantining with no chance to train, no chance to keep your fitness up then you’ll need another 10-14 days to get back up to fitness again and then you’ve got to fly again.

“It’s an impossible situation for the clubs, it’s an impossible situation for the players. We understand that there are rules and broader issues here, that’s why we have to follow the rules and get on with it.

“I don’t want to be the moaning one but if there was a choice for me, playing for Norway or playing for Man United, I know who my employer is.

“Yes, it’s my country but the rules are as they are at the moment. Anyway, I’m not a player any more.”

However, the president of the Uruguayan Football Association Ignacio Alonso recently played down fears that Cavani would not represent his country for their upcoming matches.

Alonso said: “The clubs are obliged to yield to the players and cannot impose any sanction on the players. No one can retaliate, it seems to me that FIFPro must show its voice on this issue.

“Yesterday [Wednesday] we spoke with [Oscar] Tabarez [Uruguay’s head coach] and tomorrow [Friday] we’re going to draw up the list with all the players. The tickets are already issued.

“I spoke with Cavani and I believe that the solution will come.”