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Man Utd's Fernandes in Race to Recover from COVID Ahead of Atletico Clash, Says Rangnick

Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)
Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)
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Man Utd's Fernandes in Race to Recover from COVID Ahead of Atletico Clash, Says Rangnick

Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)
Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)

COVID-19 positive Bruno Fernandes is in a "last-minute race" to be fit for the return leg of Manchester United's Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, manager Ralf Rangnick said.

Fernandes, who has nine goals and 14 assists for United this season, missed their 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend, along with team mates Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.

While giving an update on the status of the trio, Rangnick said Bruno's absence was caused by a positive COVID-19 test.

"With Scotty, I hope (he is fit) but he had some muscular problems with his calf," Rangnick said. "That's why we decided not to play him (against Spurs), because Scotty ... is only valuable if he can perform with 100% of his physical capacity.

"Luke hopefully will be back in training Monday and Bruno we will have to wait and see until Tuesday. This will probably be a last-minute race with him - due to COVID-19. "We have to be careful with COVID-19 tests. David (de Gea) was the same. David yesterday was out, he was not supposed to play but then it turned out that his first fast test was false."

Anthony Elanga salvaged a 1-1 draw for United in the first leg against Atletico in February with a late equalizer, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg.

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Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
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Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Thursday's final Club World Cup group game against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training following illness.

The French superstar did not feature in the list of 23 players named by coach Xabi Alonso and published by the club for the match in Philadelphia, in which the two teams are targeting a place in the last 16.

Mbappe had returned to training on Wednesday after missing Real's first two matches at the tournament in the United States due to illness.

He was taken to hospital last Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

He played no part in Real's opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami, or the 3-1 defeat of Mexico's Pachuca at the weekend.

Alonso did indicate after the latter game that Mbappe was on the mend, saying: "He is doing better, he is recovering."

Real posted images of Mbappe in training on Wednesday on their website, as the squad worked out at their Florida base before travelling north in the afternoon to Philadelphia.

It is there, at Lincoln Financial Field, where Madrid will take on the Austrians in their final Group H match and will be looking for a victory which will confirm their progress to the last 16 in first place in the section.

A draw can also take them through to the next round, with Manchester City and Juventus the possible opponents in the last 16.

Mbappe has scored 43 goals in 56 appearances since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last year. His last game was for France in a 2-0 win away to Germany in the UEFA Nations League on June 8.