Manchester United Under-23s' game against Chelsea has been called off amid the Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
United have had two first-team games postponed this week as they deal with a major outbreak within the squad and staff, with Ralf Rangnick having just nine players available for Tuesday's trip to Brentford and only seven for Saturday's game with Brighton.
The Under-23s squad have been mostly operating in a different bubble this season and they often train at different times to the senior squad, but both United and Chelsea agreed to call Friday's game off.
United say the decision is a 'precautionary measure' with the 'welfare of players and staff the main priority'. The Premier League 2 game was due to take place at Leigh Sports Village.
A club statement said: "Manchester United and Chelsea have mutually agreed to postpone the Under-23s fixture that was due to take place this Friday.
"With the welfare of academy players and staff always Manchester United’s highest priority, the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to prioritise the health and safety of both teams.
"The club regrets the inconvenience caused to supporters who were due to attend Leigh Sports Village.
"A further announcement on the rearrangement of the fixture will be made in due course."
Neil Wood's side now have a significant break over Christmas and New Year, with their next fixture against Tottenham at Leigh scheduled for Monday, January 10.
After the postponement of United's game with Brighton, which was due to take place at Old Trafford on Saturday, the club closed Carrington to first-team operations for the rest of the weekend.
A club statement said: "The health of players and staff is our priority. Given the number of players and support staff having to isolate due to Covid-19, the club had no option other than to request the match be rearranged. The Premier League Board took the decision to postpone based on guidance from medical advisors.
"We will also suspend football training operations at the Carrington Training Complex for a short period to help reduce risk of further transmission.
"We regret any disappointment and inconvenience caused to fans by the postponement."
