Ronaldo’s saga: Man Utd could be without Fernandes for four matches under UK rules

Manchester United could be without Bruno Fernandes for four games as a result of Cristiano Ronaldo’s positive coronavirus test, a report has claimed.

The Portuguese star, 26, may have to abide by UK government guidelines for a 14-day quarantine after coming into contact with an infected person.

Former United hero Ronaldo’s Covid-19 positive result was confirmed yesterday.

Fernandes and Ronaldo were part of the same Portugal side that drew 0-0 with France last Sunday.

Portuguese outlet A Bola speculate that Fernandes, who has since given a negative coronavirus result, could be made to quarantine.

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Regulations in the UK state anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed case must self-isolate for two weeks.

However, United and Fernandes could be exempt from this because the rule does not apply to footballers who have been in athlete bubbles.

United will already be without new signing Edinson Cavani when they travel to Newcastle on Saturday as he is still in quarantine following his move to England.

But Fernandes’s situation is different to Cavani’s because the striker was not in a secure bubble before his move.

Fernandes could, in theory, even start in Portugal’s Nations League clash against Sweden tonight.