Manchester United's UEL Game at LASK to Be Behind Closed Doors Amid Coronavirus

Manchester United's UEFA Europa League last-16 first leg against Austrian outfit LASK on Thursday will be played behind closed doors due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Per Mark Critchley of The Independent, Austrian health minister Rudolf Anschober announced on Tuesday all outdoor events of more than 500 people would be cancelled until mid-April. But LASK then confirmed their game against United at the Linzer Stadion would go ahead without spectators. 

It is far from the first match to be put behind closed doors in recent days, though.

Tuesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg between Valencia and Atalanta will be played without fans at the Mestalla Stadium with Los Che attempting to overhaul a 4-1 deficit.

For United, the decision could prove advantageous given LASK will not have the benefit of home support.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are on a run of 10 games unbeaten in all competitions, most recently securing a fine 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Most crucial for the Red Devils will be to get an away goal in Austria before the return to Old Trafford next week.

United have decent form in that regard. They have failed to score in just one of their last 11 Europa League games on the road. And in their recent unbeaten run, they have scored 24 times and conceded just twice.