Sheffield United: Blades forced to abort friendly pre-season reunion with former Sheffield Wednesday chief

Sheffield United are being forced to rearrange their pre-season programme after being forced to cancel a planned visit to Portugal because of travel restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

By James Shield

Published 3rd Jul 2021, 05:00 BST

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The Star understands United, who officially unveiled Slavisa Jokanovic as their new manager on Friday, had been scheduled to spend the week in Vale de Lobo before facing Braga, now coached by former Sheffield Wednesday chief Carlos Carvalhal, in a friendly.

However, with the country now being placed in the UK government’s amber list, United have decided to abort the trip to prevent Jokanovic’s players from being forced to isolate on their return. Several members of Jokanovic’s backroom staff would also have struggled to travel because they have either not received their second dose of vaccine or were injected within the last 14 days.

Although United have yet to finalise alternative arrangements, it is thought Jokanovic would still like to take his players abroad before continuing preparations for the new campaign in England.

Slavisa Jokanovic Sheffield Wednesday Carlos Carvalhal Portugal