The decision means Manchester United will not be able to play the likes of Chris Smalling or Alexis Sanchez when the Red Devils continue their quest for a top-four spot. Chelsea are another club who might have benefited from being able to use returning loan players, as Frank Lampard's side had 27 players at other clubs when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Stamford Bridge side have been cited as an example of why the top flight has decided clubs will not be able to include returning players from loan spells in revised 25-man squads for the season resumption from June 17. "A lot of players will be in limbo over the next couple of months and will probably have to train at home for a period." United centre-back Smalling and forward Sanchez have spent the season on loan at Roma and Inter Milan respectively.

Source: Daily Mirror June 05, 2020 23:07 UTC