MANCHESTER UNITED'S clash with Brentford is at risk of being postponed as the club have suffered a Covid-19 outbreak, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Elsewhere, there were worrying scenes as Victor Lindelof suffered a heart scare and he was quickly substituted during Manchester United's 1-0 win over Norwich.
Boss Rangnick said the defender has had tests since the game, and "seems ok".
Rangnick said: "Victor can't even remember himself how it happened. I think he had a collision with another player and had problems to breathe.
"For more than 10 minutes his heart rate was higher than normal and he was a little shocked by this, so we had to replace him.
"The doctor has checked him after the match and it seems everything is OK now, but we still have to see how he is doing tomorrow. Hopefully he will fit for the Brentford game."
On the transfer front, Erling Haaland's agent has delivered a withering snub to United by telling the Red Devils they're simply not as big as their European rivals.
Mino Raiola has put Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and even Barcelona in front of United, despite the fact that the cash-strapped Nou Camp club didn't even make it out of their Champions League group.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba has chatted with Rangnick about his injury troubles, with the German putting roughly a month on the Frenchman's timespan for a return.
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Get all the latest Man Utd transfer news, gossip and updates here.
- Anthony Chapman
CRISTIANO MISSION
Cristiano Ronaldo is on 131 goals for Man United over his two spells.
Will he end up breaking into the top 10 before calling it a day?
- Anthony Chapman
PAIN IN THE ARSENAL
Arsenal have joined Man United in recording several positive Covid tests.
The Gunners saw the results come from members of staff on the same day United closed down their Carrington ground.
The Athletic claims protocols are now being ramped up at Arsenal’s London Colney training base to keep players protected.
Stars are now being tested in their cars before training, and staff have seen their Christmas party cancelled.
- Anthony Chapman
OW DEAR
Michael Owen expected a THIRD Champions League draw as he wrongly believed Liverpool were mistakenly prevented from getting the chance to play Villarreal.
The ex-Man Utd star, who had already seen his old side mistakenly drawn against group stage opponents Villarreal, said: “I thought it was (wrong again).
“It could easily be me but I can’t think of a reason why Liverpool, at the end it says they (Villarreal) can only play one team.
“And I’m sure Liverpool could have played them as well. They weren’t in their group.
“The only way is if none of the other teams could have played the other two teams, then Liverpool had to.”
- Anthony Chapman
COR BLIMEY
A record number of positive tests for Premier League players and staff has been recorded as fears grow more games could be called off.
Reporter Laura Scott tweeted: “The 42 Covid positives among Premier League players and staff is the highest ever in a one-week testing period.
“Previous high was 40, in the week over New Year.”
Tottenham, Man Utd and Aston Villa have all revealed they are struggling with players and staff testing positive.
- Anthony Chapman
KNEE BOTHER
Ralf Rangnick admits he’s unsure when wantaway striker Anthony Martial will be fit from his knee injury.
Rangnick revealed: “After the final training session before the Crystal Palace game, after having trained with the team, he informed the doctor and the medical department that he will not be available because the pain on his knee is too big.
“So we have to wait and see.”
- Anthony Chapman
BED DEVILS
Man United are waiting to see if their game against Brentford is still going ahead after a Covid outbreak.
Here’s their full statement confirming a number of positive cases, resulting in Carrington being closed for 24 hours…
“Manchester United can confirm that following PCR test confirmation of yesterday’s positive LFT 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.”
- Anthony Chapman
CL TOP SCORER ODDS
Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is clear favourite to be this season’s top scorer in the Champions League.
But according to BetVictor, West Ham flop Seb Haller is second-favourite with Ajax.
That puts him ahead of Liverpool’s Mo Salah, Man Utd’s Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG’s Lionel Messi.
- Robert Lewandowski 2/5
- Sebastien Haller 5/2
- Mohamed Salah 8/1
- Cristiano Ronaldo 14/1
- Kylian Mbappe 20/1
- Karim Benzema 25/1
- Lionel Messi 25/1
*Odds from BetVictor correct at time of writing
RALFA MALE
Ralf Rangnick has told Anthony Martial – if you want to quit Manchester United, tell me to my face.
New Red Devils boss Rangnick is irritated that the striker’s agent Philippe Lamboley has said he wants to leave without Martial coming to him first.
And he is refusing to take the first step by addressing the issue with Martial.
Rangnick said: “No, because then I would react to what his agent said and it should be the player.
“If he really has the wish to go to another club, it should be the player who informs either the board or myself, whomever.
“I don’t communicate with agents via the media and the press. The player hasn’t spoken with me or with us about it.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ODDS
Man City are favourites for the Champions League after being drawn against Sporting Lisbon.
BetVictor also has Liverpool and Chelsea in the running.
But Man Utd are deemed to have less chance of winning than Ajax.
- Manchester City 3/1
- Bayern Munich 7/2
- Liverpool 5/1
- Chelsea 7/1
- PSG 9/1
- Ajax 12/1
- Real Madrid 16/1
- Manchester United 16/1
- Juventus 25/1
*Odds from BetVictor correct at time of writing
- Anthony Chapman
NEXT UP
Let’s take a look at United’s next five games… provided none are called off.
- Anthony Chapman
BREAKING
Man United have closed their training ground after a recent Covid-19 outbreak.
United had positive lateral flow tests returned on a number of players and staff and the Premier League have been informed.
And now the club confirmed they have shut Carrington for 24 hours and cancelled training.
As a result, United are in talks with the Premier League about whether they will play Brentford tomorrow.
It will also see them hold off travelling to London while awaiting a decision.
- Kostas Lianos
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
The Champions League draw for the Last 16 has been completed… again!
Manchester United are paired up with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea remain drawn with Lille, Liverpool will meet Inter Milan and Manchester City will clash with Sporting Lisbon.
Bayern Munich take on Red Bull Salzburg, Benfica play Ajax and Villarreal go toe-to-toe with Juventus.
Real Madrid will face Paris Saint-Germain in the biggest fixture of the Round of 16
- Kostas Lianos
ATLETICO MADRID VS MAN UTD
How do you like that?!
After being wrongfully excluded as potential opponents for Atletico Madrid, Manchester United are paired up with Diego Simeone’s side!
- Kostas Lianos
DRAW RESTARTS SOON
The Champions League draw will restart in a few minutes.
Reminding you all that the decision was made following two enormous gaffes by the officials running the procedure.
First, Villarreal were paired up with Manchester United, even though they faced offin the group stages.
After detecting that mistake they forgot to include United in the pot of Atletico Madrid’s potential opponents.
You can follow the draw here
- Kostas Lianos
WHAT WE KNOW
The Champions League draw for the Last 16 will be redone after an error during the procedure.
First, Villarreal were paired up with Manchester United, whom they met in the group stage.
And then it appears like United weren’t included in Atletico Madrid’s pot as potential opponents in the Round of 16.
Thus, the draw will be done all over again and all teams will be eligible, including Real Madrid who were initially drawn with Benfica.
UEFA issued the following statement: “Following a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the Uefa Champions League Round of 16.
“As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET (14:00 GMT)”
- Kostas Lianos
“DELIGHTED”
Former Manchester United ace Oeen Hargreaves believes his former club will be “delighted” with the draw being redone.
The Red Devils were originally paired up with Paris Saint-Germain.
Hargreaves told BT Sport: “United will be delighted. Let’s see what comes up.
“Some fans are going to be delighted but some will be very annoyed”
- Kostas Lianos
DRAW EXPLANATION
UEFA have confirmed that the Champions League draw for the Last 16 will be redone.
The football governing body have stated that the decision was made due to a “technical problem”
More below:
- Kostas Lianos
REDRAW CONFIRMED!
The Champions League Last 16 draw will take place all over again at 2pm!
- Kostas Lianos
DRAW REDO?!
We are getting reports that the Champions League draw may be done all over again after UEFA officials’ gaffe!
Manchester United were first erroneously drawn against Villarreal, whom they faced in the group stage.
Ex-Arsenal ace Andrey Arshavin was asked to draw again, and rivals Manchester City came up instead as the Yellow Submarines’ opponents.
However, for reasons which are unclear, United were not then included in the pot of potential opponents for Atletico Madrid.
And so Atletico got Bayern Munich and the Red Devils were paired up with Paris Saint-Germain
- Kostas Lianos
RONALDO VS MESSI
Manchester United vs Paris Satin-Germain is the game no football fan would like to miss!
The two clubs will lock horns in the Champions League’s Round of 16 following today’s draw.
The first match takes place at the Parc des Princes and the second will emanate from Old Trafford.
United seem well up for this challenge…
- Kostas Lianos
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain poses as the biggest match of the Champions League’s Round of 16.
In other news, Chelsea will take on Lille, Liverpool lock horns with Red Bull Salzburg and Manchester City will face Villarreal.
Benfica will meet Real Madrid, Inter Milan face Ajax and Sporting Lisbon will clash with Juventus.
Bayern Munich are set for another big match against Atletico Madrid
- Kostas Lianos
MAN UTD VS PSG
We are set for a Champions League megamatch between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain!
That means it is Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi in the Last 16 of the Champions League!
First game takes place at Parc des Princes and the second at Old Trafford.
United face Manchester City’s opponents from the group stage, and City take on Villarreal who finished below the Red Devils
- Kostas Lianos
VILLARREAL VS MAN CITY GAFFE
An unbelievable gaffe has taken place during the Champions League draw!
Villarreal was called out from the unseeded teams and the LaLiga club expected to find out its opponent.
But the officials made a mistake that led to guest Andrey Arshvain picking out… Manchester United – who faced them in the group stage!
Therefore, a redo had to take place and instead United’s arch-rivals Manchester City came out!
- Kostas Lianos
HOME COMFORTS
A little extra info ahead of the Champions League draw, which will begin any second:
Unseeded teams will host the first leg in February.
Seeded teams will be at home for the second leg in March.
That means Manchester United will be home for the second leg having won their group
- Kostas Lianos
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DATES
Ahead of the Champions League draw, Manchester United fans would like to take note of the dates below:
The first legs of the Round of 16 will take place across four nights in February – 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd.
Second legs are set for the following month on March 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th.
After that, we’ll have the draw for the last-eight and semis. Let’s hope the Prem teams are still going strong
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