Stoke abort Manchester United game after manager contracts COVID-19

Stoke City abandoned their friendly with Manchester United on Tuesday after learning their manager, Michael O'Neill, tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Stoke City can confirm that manager Michael O'Neill has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus following the latest round of testing on Monday, (June 8)," a club statement read.

It added: "O'Neill had tested negative in the previous five rounds of testing."

O'Neill's squad was already in the academy building of United's Carrington base when news surfaced of his diagnosis, according to BBC Sport. The closed-doors practice match was promptly canceled as a result.

Nobody from Stoke's traveling party interacted with members of Manchester United's staff, with squads using separate facilities and following strict COVID-19 protocol at the Carrington complex, the Evening Standard's Matt Davies reports.

Stoke also said in their statement that assistant manager Billy McKinlay will oversee the first team's preparations for a return to action at Reading on June 20. The Staffordshire outfit is only three points above the Championship's relegation zone with nine matches remaining.