'Bats have killed our Euro dream!' Sheffield United fans react as season suspended due to coronavirus

The suspension means there will be no games played before April 4 at the earliest with United’s matches against Newcastle United tomorrow and Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals both postponed.

It comes after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for Covid-19, while players at Premier League clubs including Everton and Bournemouth have also been self-isolating after showing possible symptoms of the virus.

United are currently in seventh place in the Premier League, just two points behind Manchester United in fifth – the final Champions League qualifying spot if UEFA’s decision to hand down a two-year ban to Manchester City is upheld.

Here’s how United fans on Twitter have reacted to the news.

@declankenny94 Nothing more Sheff United than missing out on European football because of a global pandemic caused by bats. Can just picture myself telling my future kids on the way to the league one play-off semi final #sufc #twitterblades

@CDNY00 Two tickets for Newcastle for sale. DM me #sufc #twitterblades

@S4Blade Looking forward to seeing @SheffieldUnited having team bonding weekends at Golden Sands Mablethorpe as they can't go abroad #sufc #twitterblades

@steveco87037733 I think they have the correct decision. Sometimes there are more important things than football

@oily_sph1nx At least Enda should be back

@BrianDu40967009 All because someone liked the look of a bat for dinner

@AndrewKenyon6 #twitterblades #sufc it'll be just our luck for the Blades to catch the virus right at the end of the suspension and the players be fatigued when the season resumes!! On the plus side, Enda will be fit again!!!! UTB

@tyronej1984 Gutted about it, but absolutely the right decision. So, what do normal people do at weekends? #twitterblades #SUFC

@ViewFromJohnSt Has to be eight decision. Realistically it’s also end of the season. Challenge now is how to fairly resolve promotion/relegation issues and, for us Blades, European qualification. Football, however, is minor issue under circumstances.

@SufcBlade1889 Is it April 4th yet? #PremierLeague #twitterblades #sufc @MenInBlazers