Manchester City confirm THREE new coronavirus cases, hours before they play Manchester United

Manchester City have confirmed that Scott Carson, Cole Palmer and one employee tested positive for coronavirus, bringing cases at the club up to at least 12.

The new cases showed the worsening status of the club’s Covid-19 crisis, with the former gamekeeper, young midfielder and staff member joining the six City- another city and three workers who have already contracted the virus.

The news comes just hours before Pep Guardiola’s men face city champions Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, and a day after the latest Covid figures released on Tuesday show that cases across the Premier League have been doubled with a new record of 40 new advanced tests.

Scott Carson (left) and Cole Palmer are among three new Covid cases at Manchester City

The news comes as another blow to City boss Pep Guardiola ahead of the team’s League Cup semi-final against Manchester United

A club statement said: ‘Manchester City FC can confirm that Scott Carson, Cole Palmer and one employee have tested positive for COVID-19.

The two employees now monitor a period of self-isolation in accordance with the Premier League and UK Government quarantine protocol.

“Everyone at the Club wishes Scott, Cole and all our other colleagues very quickly before returning to work, training and competition. ‘

Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker were the first to test positive, followed by three others

City saw a major break in their Christmas time with Covid ‘s uprising in the squad, which resulted in the cancellation of their Premier League game at Everton on 28 December.

Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were the first two players to return positive tests and then three more inside the squad ahead of the trip to Goodison Park.

The City training area was closed for deep cleaning as a result and more test rounds were conducted.

The five were then joined by City defender Eric Garcia following subsequent tests

Tests after Chelsea’s victory at the weekend showed positive for midfielder Eric Garcia, but the Spaniard was on both sides and would not have made the squad for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Walker and Jesus are said to have come out of quarantine on Tuesday but are unlikely to be at Old Trafford.

Four Premier League games have been postponed due to Covid’s outburst so far this season. Newcastle United suspended their trip to Aston Villa last month, following a number of positive developments within their squad and staff.

Everton ‘s City game was second and with a revolt at Fulham last week, their tours to Tottenham and Burnley were postponed.

Speaking ahead of the game that would see his side join Tottenham in the League Cup final, Guardiola admitted he had concerns about overtaking his squad.

‘We don’t have many players,’ he said. It’s okay to play one or two games but if this holds up for a long time and I can only use 14 or 15 players it will be harder.

‘The most important thing is that the boys who have Covid get back well and that the boys handle well and try to avoid it as much as possible. ‘