Manchester United Covid outbreak: Tuesday’s clash against Brentford postponed

Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Brentford on Tuesday night has been postponed after a Covid outbreak at the club.

Ralf Rangnick’s men picked up a 1-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot.

Since that match, however, a “small number” of United’s contingent have returned positive tests, and their midweek fixture against the Bees has subsequently been called off.

We’ve gathered all of the information you need to know about the ongoing situation below...

What do we know so far?

News broke on Sunday that United had recorded a “small number” of positive Covid cases in the aftermath of their 1-0 win over Norwich.

ManchesterWorld have been told by club sources that the whole group who travelled to Carrow Road had initially tested negative in the build-up to the match but, subsequently, multiple positive lateral flow tests have been returned. At this stage, it is unclear who tested positive.

While those who have contracted the virus were sent home and will isolate in accordance with governmental guidelines, members of the squad who were fit enough to train underwent an altered, non-contact session outside at Carrington on Sunday.

Will the Brentford game go ahead?

United were scheduled to play Brentford on Tuesday evening, but it has since been confirmed that the game will no longer go ahead as initially scheduled.

Other matches across the footballing pyramid postponed because of Covid outbreaks in recent days too, with Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Brighton and QPR’s Championship meeting Sheffield United both nixed in the wake of a number of positive test results.

What have the club said?

Addressing the postponement, United released a statement saying: “Manchester United can confirm that our Premier League fixture at Brentford FC, on Tuesday 14 December at 19:30, has been postponed and will be rescheduled in due course.

“Following PCR confirmation of positive LFT Covid-19 tests among the first-team staff and players, the outbreak requires ongoing surveillance. A decision was taken to close first-team operations at the Carrington Training Complex for 24 hours to help minimise risk of further infection, and individuals who tested positive are isolating in line with Premier League protocols.

“Given cancellation of training and disruption to the squad, and with the health of players and staff the priority, the Club requested the match to be rearranged. The Premier League Board took the decision to postpone based on guidance from medical advisors.

“Manchester United regrets the inconvenience caused to Brentford FC and to the fans of both clubs by Covid-19.”