MANCHESTER UNITED players have been warned not to spend any longer than ten minutes outside at FC Astana due to freezing temperatures in Kazakhstan.
ESPN report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will have to deal with temperatures plummeting to as low as -20C for their Europa League clash next Thursday.
The roof will be closed on the Astana Arena for Man United’s game in Kazakhstan
Club officials have advised all players and staff to remain indoors and not to spend longer than ten minutes outside during their free time before the Group L game.
The game itself will be played on an artificial pitch and the retractable roof at the 30,000-capacity Astana Arena will be closed, which should help to reduce the effects of the freezing conditions.
United sit top of the group and have already secured their progression into the next round having won three of their first four games.
New Spurs manager Jose Mourinho won the Europa League with United in 2017 and the side are targeting another victory in the competition this season.
Jesse Lingard and Brandon Williams will be faced with bitterly cold conditions against FC AstanaCredit: PA:Press Association
They would regain a spot in the Champions League and potentially have the chance to play in Fifa’s revamped Club World Cup in 2021, which could be worth over £40million to their finances.
In the reverse fixture back in September, Mason Greenwood became the first Man Utd player born in the 2000s to score a senior goal as his strike was the difference between the sides in a 1-0 win.
United are expected to rest a number of key players, including David de Gea, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford for the 7,428-mile return trip to face Astana.
Marcus Rashford may be rested for the chilly conditions in KazakhstanCredit: PA:Press Association
They have a packed fixture list with games against Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City all scheduled to take place in the space of a week.
The club are offering free flights for roughly 150 fans to travel out to Kazakhastan to brave the conditions and watch the game.
Many had booked with Thomas Cook due to the club’s partnership with the airline before their insolvency at the end of September.
United are chartering a flight for those who have proof of their booking which will depart on the Wednesday evening and return to England immediately after the match.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
