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 after some players and staff tested positive for Covid-19.
It is understood some of United's Under-23 players have also tested positive. The expectation is the first-team's match at Brentford will be postponed and the visit of Brighton on Saturday could also be in doubt, but United sources say it is too early to tell.
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."
Club sources have confirmed on Sunday 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.
United's non-starters against Norwich who had tested negative were able to train outside at Carrington on Sunday and United were scheduled to train on Monday afternoon before flying to London for the Tuesday night game.
Some United staff members reported for work at Carrington this morning.
