United players emerge against Brentford for their Wednesday night friendly
Manchester United have called off Saturday's friendly at Preston after a 'small number' of the first-team training group tested positive for Covid on Thursday.

United drew 2-2 with Brentford at Old Trafford on Wednesday night and the squad underwent lateral flow tests on Thursday, when a number of positives were returned. Those affected are now isolating as they await confirmation from PCR tests.

It is understood first-team players and staff have returned positive tests, forcing United to call off the friendly against Preston at Deepdale that was due to be played on Saturday afternoon.

A United statement said: "Maintaining Covid security is a priority for us. Following routine testing of the first team training group today, we have identified a small number of suspected positive cases. This has led to those people isolating, pending further tests

"As a precautionary measure based on covid protocols, we have taken the difficult decision that we will not now be able to play the friendly match against Preston North End this Saturday.