Manchester United want Tuesday's clash with Brentford called off after a Covid outbreak forced them to shut down their training ground.
United are in talks with the Premier League to have the 7.30pm kick-off at Brentford postponed, due to the impact the outbreak has had on their squad and preparations for the game.
After several players and staff returned positive lateral flow tests on Sunday, follow-up PCR tests forced the immediate closure of first-team operations at United's Carrington training complex.
With United unable to train at all on Monday and having been forced to abandon their usual routine of travelling to London the day before a game, the club are pushing for the fixture to be postponed.
In their submissions to the Premier League, United argued that as well as the disruption to their training schedule, there is concern over the risk of further infection and transmission if the game goes ahead.
United released a statement which 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.
“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.”
Tottenham ’s Premier League fixture against Brighton on Sunday was postponed after eight Spurs players and five members of staff tested positive, as well as their Europa Conference League match against Rennes.
