MANCHESTER UNITED stars could be going back to basics and washing their own kit when returning to training on May 18.
The date is reportedly pinned down by the Red Devils for restarting work at Carrington before an anticipated Premier League kick-off three weeks later.
Having not played since the Manchester derby on March 8, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team last trained together over six weeks ago.
And after clubs including Tottenham and Arsenal recently reopened their facilities for individuals to work under social distancing guidelines, measures are being put in place for United’s return.
According to Daily Mail, players must arrive alone and drive back in their dirty training gear, which they must wash at home.
Laundry facilities and showers are among the amenities off limits to the squad for the foreseeable future.
Workouts will also be carried out in small groups, possibly on a rota basis to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
On the pampered lifestyle footballers are often seen to live, United midfielder Scott McTominay insisted it would do no harm to expect more of players at this time.
He said: “You hear the stories about getting the life of luxury at Manchester United and people take that for granted, like the food in the canteen, your kit being laid out for you every morning.
“People just expect that and you have to always remember where you come from in that respect and always appreciate what people do for you.”
Premier League chiefs are set to hold a video conference on Friday to determine the next steps of football’s comeback from the coronavirus pandemic.
Uefa are calling on associations to set out their plans by the end of May with the middle of June eyed for the start of matches taking place behind closed doors, bringing the domestic season to a close by the end of July before European competitions are completed in August.
That still relies on coronavirus infections and deaths declining across the UK, with official figures surpassing 26,000 deaths on Wednesday after 165,221 positive tests.
Any decision will take place against a mixed backdrop across Europe, where Germany’s Bundesliga could recommence next month and France’s Ligue 1 season has been cancelled.
Later on Thursday, German chancellor Angela Merkel will make a statement and news on Bundesliga’s return is expected along with an easing of the lockdown after 6,467 confirmed deaths in her county.
