The Sunday group training at Manchester United didn’t take place as planned following an outbreak of COVID-19. Manager Ralf Rangnick wasn’t able to conduct the session, with the players only being able to perform individual, non-contact outdoor exercises. A small number of players and some staff members tested positive, the club revealed.
Those who tested positive were sent home before the training session. Man. United played away in Norwich over the weekend, winning 1-0. All of the traveling players and staff tested negative ahead of the clash. The Premier League was informed about the outbreak on the Man. United squad and, it remains unclear if Tuesday’s match against Brentford will go ahead as planned. The Red Devils were on a good run before their COVID-19 situation, winning three games in a row in the Premier League and climbing to fifth in the table.
Omicron hits football
United isn’t the only English club affected by the emergence of the highly-transmissible omicron variant. Aston Villa canceled Sunday’s training session because of an outbreak. Also, the Championship game between Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers on Monday evening was postponed because the west London club had several players infected. QPR told the Football League they didn’t have enough players to start the game. On Saturday, West Bromwich Albion confirmed four of its defenders tested positive, but the match against Reading went ahead.
On Wednesday, eight members of the Tottenham squad and five members of the staff returned positive COVID-19 tests. Their weekend match against Brighton & Hove Albion was postponed. Spurs fear they will miss out on Europa Conference League qualification after they announced they can’t host Rennes on Thursday. UEFA decided the encounter won’t be rescheduled, leaving Tottenham almost certain to forfeit the game.
Under current government rules, if a player or member of the staff tests positive, their close contacts need to self-isolate for 10 days. The rule also applies to those who are fully vaccinated.
