MANCHESTER UNITED have ditched plans for a winter break in Qatar due to the troubles in the region.
They also ordered their players not to holiday in the Middle East when they are given a few days off at the start of next month before they regroup for a training camp.
Man Utd won’t head to Qatar for a winter training camp over tensions in the Middle EastCredit: Getty
United are worried about their stars’ safety and will instead find a European base during their fortnight off, which starts on February 2.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I am going to give them a few days off. I don’t know where they will all scatter around but we will stay in Europe.
“If there is one thing that worries me it’s not on the football pitch, there are other things that worry me more than football.
“We were looking at the Middle East but that is definitely not going to happen.”
The decision is a huge blow to Qatar which is due to host the World Cup in 2022.
There is now a real danger that some countries might not take part in the showpiece if major problems persist in the region.
The United States men’s national team had already ditched their plans to train in Doha this month.
United were also due to base themselves in the capital to take advantage of the weather and highly-rated Aspire sports arena.
But a new wave of anti-West sentiment has erupted in the Middle East following a US drone strike in Baghdad earlier this month that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office have warned: “There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.”
United are searching for a winter base in Europe that offers a more settled climate than Manchester.
Solskjaer added: “This break will be very important for everyone. We will get some vitamin D and get ready for the last three months.”
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has little to say on future transfers but praises young talent Mason Greenwood
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
