Man Utd hit by Covid outbreak as positive tests put Brentford clash at risk

Manchester United's fixture with Brentford has been plunged into doubt after a number of players tested positive for coronavirus.

The Red Devils are due to face the Bees in the Premier League on Tuesday night after defeating Norwich City 1-0 on Saturday evening.

All players returned negative tests prior to the trip to Carrow Road, but there were a number of positive lateral flow results on Sunday morning.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick was unable to hold group training as planned, with those who tested positive sent home and others taking part in non-contact drills outdoors, according to The Athletic.

The outbreak places United's clash with Brentford at risk and Premier League chiefs have already been informed of the situation at Carrington.

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This fresh outbreak comes amid growing concern about Covid-19 in football, as well as the United Kingdom as a whole.

Tottenham have already had to postpone two fixtures, against Rennes in the Europa Conference League and Brighton in the top flight, after eight players tested positive.

Leicester and Norwich have also been struck by coronavirus in recent weeks.

United, meanwhile, are already facing the busy festive schedule with a squad depleted through injury.

Paul Pogba is a long-term absentee with a thigh complaint while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Raphael Varane are among the first-team regulars on the sidelines.

Fellow defender Victor Lindelof is the latest concern for Rangnick after struggling with breathing difficulties during the 1-0 victory at Carrow Road.

The Swede clutched his chest before he was taken off in the 74th minute to undergo examinations with United's team doctor, Steve McNally.

"He can't even remember himself how it happened," Rangnick said of Lindelof. "I think he had a collision with another player and he had problems to breathe for more than 10 minutes.

"His heart-rate was higher than normal and he was a little bit shocked, he didn't know how to deal with it.

"We had to replace him. After the game, we did some check-ups and some examinations by the doctor, it seems everything is okay.

"We still have to see how he is doing tomorrow. Hopefully, he will be fit for the game against Brentford."

Forwards Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial are also in the treatment room with injuries, while Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata are recovering from illness.

"There's still a question mark behind Matic, who had sort of a cold. I wouldn't call it a flu, he had a negative test for COVID," Rangnick said.