Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Premier League season may need to be SCRAPPED over coronavirus fears

Football matches are being forced behind closed doors and even suspended across the continent in a bid to quell the alarming spread of Covid-19.

United’s Europa League last-16 first leg at LASK is among those affected, with the Austrian authorities announcing restrictions on Tuesday that will mean only 500 people can attend tonight’s Linzer Stadion clash.

The Old Trafford giants released a statement on the eve of the match saying that “all home matches are currently scheduled to go ahead as planned”, with the club monitoring the evolving situation.

But the spectre of English football being forced to shut up shop looms large and huge question marks are hanging over competitions, both at club and international level.

Asked if he would understand it if the Europa League and Premier League were cut short and not played out, United boss Solskjaer said: “I would understand yes, under the circumstances.

“It’s up to the experts to decide and the main concern must be the health of the general public and the decision that will be made we’ll back.”

Solskjaer faced the media just 90 minutes after the World Health Organisation declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic, with the virus dominating the press conference previewing the LASK match.

“The players are focused and just concentrated on the job,” the United boss said ahead of leading his side out at a near empty ground.

“Of course, these are difficult circumstances – not just for football, but in the whole society.

“So, for us, we just have to do what we’re told and get on with the game if the authorities think that’s what we should do.

“We are going to have to create our own atmosphere within the team, within the game.

“They are used to training with no spectators anyway and we do have some behind closed doors friendlies at times.

“I am in no doubt that my players are focused and ready to perform, even if there’s no spectators there.”