Manchester United rocked by up to NINE Covid cases in camp a day after Brentford friendly, forcing Saturday’s game with Preston to be called off in a major blow to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pre-season plans for the new Premier League campaign
- Manchester United’s pre-season friendly with Preston has been postponed
- The Red Devils reported a small number of positive Covid cases on Thursday
- United played Brentford in a friendly at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening
- The club are now awaiting PCR results following the positive lateral flow tests
Manchester United have been forced to postpone their friendly against Preston North End on Saturday following a Covid outbreak. It is understood there are up to nine positive cases.
Tests carried out following Wednesday’s friendly match with Brentford – which was played in front of 30,000 supporters, revealed a small number of positive cases among Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players and staff.
The initial lateral flow test alerted the club’s medical team to the outbreak although results from the more accurate and in-depth PCR tests are still to be collated.
Manchester United’s pre-season friendly with Preston has been postponed following a number of positive Covid cases in the Red Devils camp
Players had been in at United’s Carrington training ground on Thursday morning for their usual warm down session following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Brentford at Old Trafford.
But they were sent home and had left by 2pm on Thursday to self-isolate after tests started to indicate the virus was present.
United were due to play Championship side Preston on Saturday but have now been forced to announce the cancellation as fans were due to attend.
Brentford’s game with fellow Premier League side West Ham may also be brought into question as they undertake their own testing.
A United statement confirmed: ‘Maintaining Covid security is a priority for us.
‘Following routine testing of the first team training group today, we have identified a small number of suspected positive cases. This has led to those people isolating, pending further tests.
Tests at United’s Carrington training base showed up positive results among players and staff
The Red Devils played Brentford in a friendly at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening
‘As a precautionary measure based on covid protocols, we have taken the difficult decision that we will not now be able to play the friendly match against Preston North End this Saturday.
‘We regret the disruption to Preston and disappointment caused to fans. Any Manchester United fans who have purchased tickets for the game will be automatically refunded.
‘At this stage, we do not expect further disruption around our forthcoming matches, but we will continue to follow Premier League protocols in this regard.’
Members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad are now isolating pending the results of further tests
Anthony Elanga and Andreas Pereira were both on target as the Red Devils drew 2-2 with Brentford on Wednesday with Bruno Fernandes and Alex Telles among those watching on from the stands.
Elanga gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side the lead in the 12th minute before Shandon Baptiste equalised for the Bees.
Pereira restored United’s lead with a stunning volley shortly after half-time before a 78th minute goal from Bryan Mbeumo brought the visitors level for a second time.
United’s next and final pre-season match is against Everton at Old Trafford on August 7
Andreas Pereira (pictured) and Anthony Elanga were both on target against the Bees
