Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League clash with Brentford has been thrown into jeopardy after reports of a Covid outbreak at Old Trafford.
Fresh off the back of their 1-0 away win at Norwich on Saturday thanks to a late Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, the Red Devils have registered a number of positive lateral flow tests across players and staff, according to The Sun.
Ahead of traveling to Carrow Road this weekend, the whole group tested negative.
On Sunday, though, the positive results of some meant they had to be sent home from the club’s Carrington training complex while the unaffected trained outdoors in individual and non-contact sessions. None of the individuals concerned have been named thus far.
GOAL understands a small number of Manchester United players tested positive for COVID-19 this morning.
Those individuals were sent home, while others trained outdoors.
The Premier League have been notified ahead of Man Utd's next game against Brentford on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/qOtWK8l3JE
The Premier League has reportedly been informed of the development with a Tuesday trip to Brentford on the horizon, which also comes amid the spreading of the Omicron variant in the UK feared to cause disruptions to the sporting calendar ahead of several fixtures over Christmas and New Year.
After Tottenham Hotspur recently had UEFA Conference League and Premier League ties against Rennes and Brighton respectively postponed due to a Covid outbreak, United’s next match could follow suit.
The ongoings at the Mancunian outfit are not believed to be related to their defender Victor Lindelof leaving the pitch with breathing difficulties during the Norwich win.
“I don’t know what was going on but it was like he was feeling his breathing,” explained goalkeeper David De Gea afterwards, with interim coach Ralf Rangnick saying the Swede was “okay” in his post-match press conference.
But this is not the first time that Manchester United have been affected by Covid.
At the start of the season, Dean Henderson was tipped for a run in the first team under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until testing positive and then embarking on a battle with Long Covid.
Before that, in preseason, Jessie Lingard had to isolate and England forward Mason Greenwood was also forced to take similar measures in November.
Formula 1 stewards have rejected protests by Mercedes after their driver Lewis Hamilton lost the world title to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton and Verstappen had started the day level on points at the top of the F1 championship leaderboard, and despite early drama on the first lap when Hamilton left the track in a tangle for the lead with Verstappen, the Brit had seemed set for a record eighth world title as he opened up a big lead.
But there was a dramatic twist with five laps to go of the 58 when a crash by Williams driver Nicholas Latifi brought out the safety car.
Chaos ensued as Red Bull first used the opportunity to pit Verstappen for a fresh set of tires while Mercedes kept Hamilton out so that he would not lose track position.
There were five lapped cars between the two title rivals in the line behind the safety car, meaning that Verstappen appeared to face significant obstacles to getting within striking distance of Hamilton.
All that changed when race control issued an order that the lapped cars could join the back of the queue on the penultimate lap under the safety car, meaning the race restarted with one lap to go with Verstappen directly behind his British rival.
The Dutchman took full advantage, streaking past Hamilton on turn five of the last lap and holding off the Mercedes driver to take the checkered flag and a maiden world title with it.
The first protest had focused on whether Verstappen had breached the rules by overtaking Hamilton when the safety car was out.
Ultimately, the stewards determined that although Verstappen did briefly move slightly in front of Hamilton at a time when both cars where accelerating and braking, he had then moved back behind the Brit and was not in front when the safety car period ended.
Regarding the second protest lodged by Mercedes regarding the use of the safety car, FIA officials said: “Article 15.3 allows the Race Director to control the use of the safety car, which in our determination includes its deployment and withdrawal.
“Although Article 48.12 may not have been applied fully, in relation to the safety car returning to the pits at the end of the following lap, Article 48.13 overrides that and once the message ‘Safety Car in this lap’ has been displayed, it is mandatory to withdraw the safety car at the end of that lap.
“That notwithstanding Mercedes’ request that the Stewards remediate the matter by amending the classification to reflect the positions at the end of the penultimate lap, this is a step that the Stewards believe is effectively shortening the race retrospectively, and hence not appropriate.
Race director Michael Masi had come under intense scrutiny for his actions at the end of the race, after appearing to first say that cars would not be allowed to overtake before reversing that order.
Mercedes director Toto Wolff had furiously said on the team radio that the situation was “not right.”
It remains to be seen whether Mercedes will pursue the matter through appeals with the FIA or potentially even the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
Verstappen, 24, became the first Dutchman ever to be crowned Formula 1 world champion while Red Bull also ended the seven-year stranglehold that Mercedes had on the drivers’ title.
Hamilton, 36, missed out the chance to win a fifth consecutive crown and move ahead of Michael Schumacher in the all-time title stakes, but was nonetheless gracious in defeat as he congratulated Verstappen.
What is being hailed as the most dramatic conclusion to a Formula 1 season in history has left a lot of sports fans scratching their heads, so here is how Max Verstappen squeezed past Lewis Hamilton to claim his first F1 crown.
WHY WAS THE SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED?
With Lewis Hamilton in the lead of the race and on course for the Drivers’ Championship as the final Grand Prix of the 2021 F1 season inched closer to its conclusion, the television cameras cut to something which at first looked to be innocuous, but would eventually play a large part in determining the destination of the title.
That image was of Williams driver Nicholas Latifi, who had crashed out of the race on lap 53 of 58.
LAP 54/58
Huge drama as Nicholas Latifi goes into the barriers – he reports that he is ok
But the Safety Car comes out and Max Verstappen immediately goes into the pits for some fresh tyres
Latifi’s accident would require the introduction of the safety car, something F1 fans are well accustomed to over the years to safeguard drivers from wreckage or any other debris on the track which could potentially cause further accidents.
The car remained deployed while Latifi’s stricken Williams was cleared from the track.
WHAT HAPPENED WHILE THE SAFETY CAR WAS DEPLOYED?
This is where things got interesting… and slightly complicated.
The FIA rulebook states that any lapped cars behind a safety car can overtake and un-lap themselves, should such a situation present itself.
Article 39.12 of sporting regs says: “If clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message “LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE” has been sent to all teams, any cars that have been lapped by leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.” 1/
Just five of the racers who had been lapped overtook the safety car in Abu Dhabi: Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel.
Three lapped racers didn’t – Daniel Ricciardo, Lance Stroll and Mick Schumacher – but that trio didn’t seem to been given a chance to do so after a controversial call by race director Michael Masi.
Per the rules, once all cars un-lap themselves, the safety car can leave the track on the next lap.
All five cars that did un-lap themselves had been between Hamilton and Verstappen, meaning there was now no impediment to the Dutchman directly attacking the Brit, which he duly did.
Had the remaining cars been afforded an opportunity to un-lap themselves then the race would have finished under a yellow flag, with Hamilton being declared the winner and the 2021 world champion.
WHY DIDN’T HAMILTON PIT WHEN VERSTAPPEN DID?
Hamilton’s Mercedes team decided against bringing their driver in for a late pit stop because doing so would have surrendered the lead to Verstappen unless he did the same.
But sensing an opportunity after Hamilton opted not to do so, Verstappen’s Red Bull team did bring their man in for fresh tires.
This proved to be the decisive moment of the race as once the race resumed after the safety car was removed, Hamilton’s advantage had been eaten away and he was now trying to keep a driver with fresher tires at bay.
His lead didn’t last long. Verstappen passed Hamilton on the way into turn five and batted away the British driver’s attempts to return the favor in the two straights which followed to cross the finish line as the new Formula 1 world champion.
With Verstappen’s reign as world champion barely an hour old, Mercedes revealed that they would be filing an appeal against the conclusion of the race.
In fact, two formal protests were filed: one related to cars overtaking while the safety car was on the track, and the other stems from a complaint regarding Verstappen specifically overtaking during the safety car.
FIA race director Masi left himself open to accusations of flip-flopping after appearing to change his mind during the extraordinary denouement by first ruling out cars being allowed to overtake, only for them to be given the green light to do so.
WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE PROTESTS?
After a tense wait for both teams, it was confirmed that both Mercedes’ protests had been dismissed.
Regarding the issue of Verstappen overtaking Hamilton under the safety car, it was ruled by stewards that although the Dutchman did briefly move slightly in front of the Brit at a time when both cars where accelerating and braking, he had then moved back and was not in front when the safety car period ended.
The second appeal regarding broader use of the safety car and overtaking was also rejected.
In a convoluted response, the gist was that race officials had acted within their rights to withdraw the safety car when they did, and that there had been no wrongdoing regarding overtaking – or lack of it – by cars which had been lapped.
Mercedes have already said they will seek a further appeal with the FIA, and beyond that could even take it up with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
Mercedes has lodged its intention to appeal #F1#AbuDhabiGP
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has promised Nicholas Latifi a “lifetime supply” of the energy drink after the Williams driver’s crash paved the way for Max Verstappen’s remarkable F1 title victory.
Verstappen overtook championship rival Lewis Hamilton on the last lap in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, after the safety car had been deployed with five laps to go in the race.
The safety car had been brought out because Latifi had crashed his Williams and come to a standstill trackside.
LAP 54/58
Huge drama as Nicholas Latifi goes into the barriers – he reports that he is ok
But the Safety Car comes out and Max Verstappen immediately goes into the pits for some fresh tyres
The situation allowed Red Bull racer Verstappen to come into the pits for fresh tires while Mercedes kept Hamilton out on his worn versions.
The Dutch title challenger was given a clear run at Hamilton after race officials ruled that lapped drivers between the Mercedes and Red Bull cars would have to move.
Verstappen took full advantage after the safety car departed, overtaking Hamilton on turn five of the final lap and holding off the Brit to seal a maiden world title.
The remarkable drama meant that thanks to his crash, Latifi had emerged as an unlikely protagonist in the title race – as either a hero or villain, depending on who you support.
Red Bull boss Horner was certainly thankful, telling Channel 4 after the race: “He’ll be getting a lifetime supply of Red Bull for sure.”
“We needed something from the racing gods in the last 10 laps,” Horner added to Sky Sports.
“Thank you, Nicholas Latifi, for that safety car. I have to say with the stewards… they did great to get the race going again.
“We were screaming at (race director Michael Masi) ‘let them race’. It has been an insane competition and for Max to win the world championship – it is not just about here.
“I have to say all credit to Lewis, he has been a phenomenal opponent all year, he is a great champion and that is what makes it even more valid to win this.”
Hamilton was graceful in defeat as he congratulated Verstappen and Red Bull, although his Mercedes team lodged two protests in the wake of the controversial conclusion to the season.
One complaint focused on an overtake by Verstappen when the safety car was out, while the second concerned the decision for lapped cars to be able to ‘un-lap’ themselves and move to the back of the pack.
Five lapped cars did so during the safety car period, and crucially they were the ones between Hamilton and Verstappen, meaning the Dutchman no longer had to weave through them to get to his target.
However, three cars further back did not un-lap themselves, leading Mercedes to argue that the race should not have restarted when it did – and effectively meaning Hamilton should be declared the winner based on track positions for the penultimate lap.
After tense deliberations of several hours, officials at the FIA dismissed both protests as Verstappen was confirmed world champion.
Mercedes have already announced their intention to appeal the decision, and could even go as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
Verstappen, 24, became the first Dutchman ever to win an F1 world title and is the first Red Bull driver to do so since Sebastian Vettel back in 2013.
Hamilton, 36, remains on seven world championships overall – level at the top of the all-time standings with German legend Michael Schumacher.
Somewhat ironically, it was Schumacher’s son, Mick, who was battling in his Haas with Latifi when the Canadian crashed, causing the use of the safety car and the controversy that followed.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to meet in the Champions League after Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain were paired together in Monday’s draw for the last 16 of this season’s tournament.
The tie between the English and French giants is one to capture the imagination as two of football’s all-time greats will renew their rivalry in Europe’s elite club competition.
Elsewhere in the draw, defending champions Chelsea appeared to be given a kind tie – at least on paper – as they meet French team Lille.
Last season’s losing finalists Manchester City face Villarreal of Spain, while German giants Bayern Munich – tipped as among the strong favorites this season – will face Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid, record 13-time winners of the tournament, meet Benfica of Portugal.
Liverpool, who emerged with a perfect record in the group stage, will play Austrian knockout debutants FC Salzburg.
THE FULL DRAW
Benfica (Portugal) vs Real Madrid (Spain)
Villarreal (Spain) vs Manchester City (England)
Atletico Madrid (Spain) vs Bayern Munich (Germany)
FC Salzburg (Austria) vs Liverpool (England)
Inter Milan (Italy) vs Ajax (Netherlands)
Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) vs Juventus (Italy)
Chelsea (England) vs Lille (France)
Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs Manchester United (England)
Ronaldo and Messi last faced off in the Champions League during last season’s group stage when the pair were at Juventus and Barcelona respectively.
Both have since completed shock transfer moves, with Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford and Messi making the switch to Paris during the summer.
As the pair play out the twilights of their careers – with Ronaldo 36 and Messi 34 – fans will relish another chance to see them on the same stage, having enjoyed so many years of their rivalry in Spain when the Portuguese star was at Real Madrid.
Although Messi recently added another Ballon d’Or to his collection – taking him to seven accolades to Ronaldo’s five – it is Ronaldo who has enjoyed more success in the Champions League down the years.
The Portugal icon has won the title five times to Messi’s four, and Ronaldo is also the leading all-time top scorer in the competition with 140 goals in 181 appearances.
He has shown no sign of slowing down since returning to Manchester United, scoring six times in five Champions League appearances this season to help United finish top of Group F.
Messi has 125 goals in his 154 matches in the tournament, including five this season in five appearances in PSG colors.
The last 16 ties will take place across two legs, the first of which will be spread across February 15, 16, 22 and 23.
The return legs will be played on March 8, 9, 15 and 16.
The seeded teams (who won their groups) will all be away for the first legs and will play the second legs at home.
A rule change for the knockout stages means that the away-goals rule is no longer in force. Any ties that are level after 180 minutes across two legs will go to extra-time and potentially penalties.
This season’s Champions League final will be held in St. Petersburg at the 68,000-seater Gazprom Arena, which is home to Russian champions Zenit.
Where new stories start ✨
Introducing the official @adidasfootball match ball for the 2021/22 knockout stage!
Former Zenit and Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin was part of Monday’s draw ceremony at UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland.
“People love football [in St. Petersburg], it’s a big event for our city, everyone dreams of holding such a big event,” said Arshavin of the final in his hometown, which is scheduled for May 28.
Many will be thankful to Arshavin for playing his part in pairing Ronaldo and Messi together for what could be one of the last times we see them on the same pitch.
