Man Utd hit with 19 positive Covid-19 cases as club battles outbreak

United recently had to shut down their training ground for 24 hours

Manchester United have been hit with 19 positive Covid-19 cases across players and staff at the club, according to the Telegraph Sport. United's Premier League match at Brentford on Tuesday night was postponed after the club's Carrington Training Complex had to be shut down for 24 hours to reduce further spread of the virus. The training ground reopened on Wednesday for players and staff who had tested negative, but the Red Devils are currently in talks with the Premier League about their match at home to Brighton - who are also battling their own Covid outbreak - on Saturday. It has been reported that a total of 19 players and staff at United are currently self-isolating after a host of positive tests since the weekend. During the partial closure of Carrington, United's women team’s and academy side were able to continue training. While it remains unclear whether the Red Devils' game against Brighton will go ahead, Watford’s game at Burnley was postponed on Tuesday night on medical advice after it was revealed that Watford were experiencing an ongoing outbreak. The situation left the Hornets with an "insufficient number of first-team players available to fulfil the match" and the Premier League - who treat each situation on a case-by-case basis - opted to cancel the fixture. According to the Manchester Evening News, 17 first-team players reported for training on Wednesday morning. However, they did add that some players who were not seen could have reported earlier. With some players doing rehabilitation and conditioning work as they recover from injuries, a full squad was not present at training. Brighton boss Graham Potter confirmed on Tuesday that the Seagulls were going through covid-related issues ahead of their scheduled match against Wolves on Wednesday night. "We are around three or four and that's something we have to deal with," he said. "We are just checking to make sure it's at that number. We are trying to monitor and make sure we are not playing games with guys who have Covid." The Premier League recently revealed new emergency protocols that all clubs must follow, which sees players tested for Covid-19 in their cars as they arrived at the training ground - with them not allowed to leave their vehicles until a they receive a negative test. Related links:

• Burnley vs Watford postponed after Covid outbreak in Hornets squad
• The UK just recorded the highest number of new Covid infections since the pandemic began
• EXPLAINED: How to register for Premier League and EFL matches this Christmas