Manchester United have closed their first-team operations at the club's training ground and are in discussions about the possible postponement of Tuesday night's Premier League fixture at Brentford.
The Manchester Evening News have reported that some players and staff have tested positive for Covid-19 and it seems like the club are taking action to try and minimise the spread of the virus.
Ralf Rangnick's side face the Bees and Brighton & Hove Albion, before travelling to Newcastle United on Monday, December 27, and this could be the Red Devils' next game depending on the severity of the outbreak.
Go here for the latest Newcastle United transfer updates
It is understood some of United's Under-23 players have also tested positive and the expectation is the first-team's match at Brentford will be postponed and the visit of Graham Potter's side this weekend could also be in doubt.
The academy and women's teams are able to continue training at Carrington because of the segregation of bubbles.
In a statement, 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."
Rangnick, who arrived as the club's new Interim Manager earlier this month, has won both of his Premier League matches in charge - a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace before beating Norwich City by the same scoreline.
There has been plenty of optimism surrounding the Red Devils after the 63-year-old guided United to back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since March.
However, following the game at Carrow Road, club sources confirmed that a small number of players and staff tested positive for Covid-19 and were sent home before training.
The whole group who travelled to Norwich had initially tested negative but, subsequently, a small number of lateral flow tests among players and staff returned positive results.
With the game against Brentford and Brighton now in doubt, the Red Devils next outing could be against Eddie Howe's men in two weeks' time.
In the meantime, Newcastle face the current top two in Liverpool and Manchester City, before they have eight days to prepare to take on United at St James' Park.
