WSL Update: Everton game against Manchester United postponed

Everton Women’s home league match against league leaders Manchester United, originally scheduled for Sunday January 10th at 7 a.m. EST/12 p.m. BST, has been postponed due to a recent string of COVID infections and injuries that have limited the Blues’ ability to field a complete and competitive squad.

During the Christmas and New Year’s break, a total of five members on the team contracted the coronavirus. Despite the five players returning to practice this past week, and continued negative tests from the rest of the team, the club’s medical staff confirmed Friday that the five players in question would not be cleared to play ahead of Sunday’s match.

In addition to the five players who tested positive for the coronavirus, five other first team players also have been ruled out due to injuries. Between the positive tests and ailments, it was deemed that Everton had only 13 players available for the game against Manchester United.

Per the Everton club website, the women’s side train in a separate bubble at USM Finch Farm separately from the men’s sides - the first team, the Under-23s and the Academy teams.

A new date is yet to be scheduled but will be confirmed in coming days. The Blues last game was on the 20th of December when they lost away 4-0 to Arsenal before the winter break. Everton currently sit in fifth-place in the twelve team league.

Earlier this week manager Willie Kirk had confirmed that the Blues were looking to add at least two more players during the January transfer window without divulging what positions he was looking to strengthen.