Manchester United preseason warmup canceled due to COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to impact sports leagues located around the world. 

Manchester United announced Thursday that Saturday's friendly versus Preston North End has been canceled due to positive COVID-19 cases within the team. 

"Following routine testing of the first-team training group today (Thursday), we have identified a small number of suspected positive cases," United said in the prepared statement. "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." 

United continued: "At this stage, we do not expect further disruption around our forthcoming matches, but we will continue to follow Premier League protocols in this regard." 

According to BBC Sport, United drew 2-2 against Brentford on Wednesday and will now have one more preseason warmup, a showdown with Everton on Aug. 7. The Red Devils open the 2021-22 Premier League season against Leeds United on Aug. 14. 

The Athletic reported last week that Premier League players and staff members are facing compulsory vaccination against COVID-19 per the United Kingdom's protocols to ensure the upcoming campaign isn't interrupted due to the health crisis. Players and other individuals required to complete matches are to be fully vaccinated by the Oct. 1 deadline. 

Both Arsenal and Inter Milan recently scrapped trips to the United States because of coronavirus-related issues and concerns.