Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Brentford has been postponed.
The United first team has had a number of positive Covid tests over the past 24 hours which led to the fixture being placed in doubt.
First-team operations at the club's Carrington training complex have been shut for 24 hours after the club notified the Premier League on Sunday.
The Manchester Evening News understands United had pushed for the game to be postponed and earlier on Monday, players and staff expected the game to be called off.
The team were expected to travel to Brentford on Tuesday morning had the game gone ahead.
But the club have since released a statement confirming the fixture's postponement, 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.”
The Premier League also confirmed the decision late on Monday night.
“The decision was taken following guidance from medical advisers due to the exceptional circumstances of an ongoing Covid-19 outbreak within Man United’s squad.”
In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, United said: "Manchester United can confirm that following PCR test confirmation of yesterday’s positive LFT (lateral flow tests) 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. Individuals who tested positive are isolating per Premier League protocols.
"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."
A statement from Brentford added: "Following medical guidance, the Premier League board have postponed Tuesday night's match against Manchester United due to the exceptional circumstances of an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak within the Manchester United squad.
"We appreciate that there will be many fans who will be inconvenienced with the fixture postponement and we apologise for the disruption, which was out of our control, but we respect the Premier League's decision and acknowledge that the health and safety of both clubs' players and staff must always come first.
"We wish everyone affected a speedy recovery and look forward to hosting Manchester United at the Brentford Community Stadium in the New Year.
"The rearranged match details will be confirmed and communicated in due course. All match tickets will remain valid for the rearranged fixture."
The only communiqué the Premier League issued on Monday was regarding the number of positive cases among players and staff at its 20 clubs. Between Monday December 6 and Sunday December 12, 3,805 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19 and 42 new positive cases were recorded.
The Premier League confirmed it has initiated its emergency measures and will increase the frequency of both Lateral Flow and PCR Covid-19 testing of players and staff.
