Manchester United news: Alex Telles and Fred test positive for COVID-19, to miss Burnley trip

Telles had missed Friday’s defeat against Middlesbrough in the Emirates FA Cup, since he returned a positive test prior to the game.

Fred celebrates his goal against Crystal Palace; Credit: Twitter@ManUtd
By Karthik Raman | Feb 7, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Manchester United will be without left-back Alex Telles and midfielder Fred in their matchday squad against Burnley on Tuesday after both tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, they now have to isolate, in line with Government guidelines. Telles had missed Friday’s defeat against Middlesbrough in the Emirates FA Cup, since he returned a positive test prior to the game. His national teammate Fred did play a part in the cup match after coming on as a substitute against the Teessiders. He has also now tested positive and could very well miss Saturday’s Premier League game against Southampton at Old Trafford.

“Yeah we have two players missing,” interim manager Ralf Rangnick told club media as part of his pre-match interview. “Alex Telles already missed the cup game because he tested COVID positive last week and, unfortunately, the same thing happened today with Fred. That’s why he will be missing from tomorrow’s game and possibly even the game against Southampton.”

With United keen to bounce back from the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round exit to Middlesbrough, the manager has received a welcome boost in the form of Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani’s return. “They are both available and will both be part of the squad for tomorrow’s game at Burnley,” confirmed Rangnick at his pre-match press conference. “Both are top professionals, both have been training well.”

READ More – Shocking Manchester United upsets: Top 3 alarming defeats over the years

Ralf Rangnick on Raphael Varane

Meanwhile, centre-back Raphael Varane, who was withdrawn against Boro, is fit to play in the Premier League contest on Tuesday. “He [Varane] seems to be physically fit,” added the boss. “He has no issues anymore with injuries. Hopefully, we can have him in the same fitness shape and same form as he was against Middlesbrough for the upcoming games.”

Varane made his 17th appearance of what has been a stop-start season for him during the Emirates FA Cup defeat against Middlesbrough on Friday. The World Cup winning French defender, who had two spells on the sidelines with injury during the autumn, has now started all six of United’s games in 2022.

The German manager will hope that Varane continues to play more frequently after producing impressive displays at the heart of United’s defence so far this year. “I think he has arrived, he seems to be physically fit, he has no issues with injuries anymore,” Rangnick said.

“I thought until he had to be substituted against Middlesbrough, he did extremely well, together with Harry. He played probably his best game, knowing it was a Championship team but a very ambitious Championship team, and I’m happy to have him back for tomorrow’s game.”





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords