Manchester United's preparations for their top-four clash against Tottenham have suffered a major setback as David De Gea returned a false positive COVID test.
The Spanish keeper was set to miss the Premier League fixture after testing positive with Dean Henderson set for a rare start as United welcome Antonio Conte's men to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
It was believed to have affected the squad's planned arrival at The Lowry Hotel on Friday night as only Henderson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and some coaching staff members appeared.
But sources told Mirror Football that De Gea's Covid-19 result was in fact a false positive. It is also understood the club are still trying to resolve the testing issue.
Should Manchester United rest David de Gea vs Atletico Madrid? Comment below
Henderson was recalled from The Lowry to United's Carrington training base, as a result, where the rest of the squad would meet ahead of the clash against Spurs.
De Gea is now back in contention for the game and will likely retain his place in the starting XI, however, there were claims he could be rested ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
De Gea's false positive will come as a huge bonus to Ralf Rangnick's men as the Spanish international has routinely bailed them out this season with a number of inspiring performances.
United are in desperate need of three points against Conte's side after losing ground in the top four race last weekend with a humiliating derby defeat to rivals Manchester City.
There is little margin error from now until the end of the season with Arsenal a point ahead of United and with three games in hand.
And former United legend Roy Keane reckons the Gunners are now favourites to secure the final Champions League spot.
He told Sky Sports: "It’s been an amazing turnaround considering where they were at the start of the season, and now they’re probably favourites to finish in the top four.
"We’ve always questioned whether there’s a bit of softness to them but they’re in a good moment and they’ve always had that quality.
"Against Wolves they found a way to win the football match, they kept going and grabbed a late goal, that’s the key to success, you can have your off days but you find a way to win and it was a huge three points for them."
