Manchester United ‘struck by Covid outbreak just HOURS before game against Newcastle’

Manchester United‘s preparations for their clash with Newcastle have been thrown into disarray due to a coronavirus outbreak among the club’s coaching staff.

The Premier League fixture will still go ahead as planned on Sunday evening, the club have confirmed, however.

The identities of the members of staff who have contracted the virus are not known.

Manchester United have been hit with a coronavirus outbreak before their Newcastle fixture

The outbreak appears to have solely disrupted the backroom staff at United, with Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey stepping in alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

A club statement read: ‘Nicky Butt and Mark Dempsey will join Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench this evening due to some of the coaching staff having to isolate.’ 

The Mirror have claimed that up to three first-team coaches have been affected.

Those involved are said to have tested positive for Covid-19 last week – and were not in attendance for United’s Europa League win against Real Sociedad in midweek.    

More to follow.