COVID KO
Man Utd vs Brentford OFF after Covid outbreak in Red Devils’ camp with four players from Norwich game testing positive
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MANCHESTER UNITED’S match with Brentford has been called OFF after a Covid outbreak in the Red Devils camp.
SunSport exclusively revealed on Sunday afternoon that a number of players and staff had tested positive following their 1-0 victory away to Norwich.
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They had to be ordered home from Carrington and training was curtailed.
The training ground was shut to the first team today and the club contacted the Premier League asking for the game to be postponed.
A Premier League statement read: "The Premier League Board has decided to postpone Brentford’s home fixture against Manchester United, due to be played on Tuesday, 14 December at 19.30 GMT.
"The decision was taken following guidance from medical advisers due to the exceptional circumstances of an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak within Manchester United’s squad.
"First-team operations at the club’s Carrington Training Complex were closed down today to help control the outbreak and minimise risk of further infection among players and staff.
"The League wishes a quick recovery to those players and staff with COVID-19. The postponed fixture will be rearranged in due course.
"With the health of players and staff the priority, and in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Premier League has reintroduced Emergency Measures.
"These include protocols such as more frequent testing, wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing and limiting treatment time."
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Man Utd said they would not travel south to London until the morning of the game if it went ahead.
But they raised concerns about the welfare of their players not only from a point of Covid infections but the physical risks of taking part in a game having had such little preparation.
SunSport understands that at least four players who took part in Saturday’s game at Carrow Road are among those who have tested positive and now have to isolate for ten days.
The situation now must also put United’s home game to Brighton on Saturday at risk.
The Premier League board can insist on a game going ahead if 14 first-team players are fit.
But they do take into consideration the make-up of those missing ie: if they are regular first-teamers and it severely weakens the side.
The fact United had been unable to train will also have been a factor.
A club statement released mid-afternoon on Monday read: "Manchester United can confirm that following PCR test confirmation of yesterday’s positive LFT Covid-19 cases among the first-team staff and players, the decision has been taken to close down first team operations at the Carrington Training Complex for 24 hours, to minimise risk of any further infection.
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"Individuals who tested positive are isolating per Premier League protocols.
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"Given cancellation of training and disruption to the squad, and with the health of players and staff the priority, the club is in discussion with the Premier League whether it is safe for Tuesday’s fixture against Brentford to continue, both from a Covid infection and player preparation perspective.
"Team and staff travel to London will be deferred pending the result of that discussion."
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