Steven Gerrard’s FA Cup derby leveller for Liverpool on Monday may have unwittingly handed Manchester United a problem.
United are without 12 senior players for tonight’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Brom, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson to pick through his squad for a team of fit players.
Ferguson was hoping the situation might have eased in time United’s next league game against Everton – with both Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown tipped to be available after long-standing back and ankle problems respectively and Park Ji-sung on the brink of a comeback from a minor hamstring complaint.
But the Old Trafford encounter with David Moyes’s men will now be played 48 hours ahead of schedule – moving forward to Saturday January 31 from Monday February 2 to clear the way for Everton’s FA Cup replay with Liverpool on February 4.
It robs Ferdinand, Brown and Park, or anyone else among United’s walking wounded who might have had a chance of returning against Everton, of two extra days’ preparation.
The late change is part of a confusing February fixture list for United.
Their remaining outstanding game against Fulham - originally postponed in August because of the Red Devils’ presence in the European Super Cup - has been pencilled in for February 17. But that will be dependent on neither side requiring a fifth-round replay.
In addition, the Red Devils’ home match against Portsmouth on February 28 has been postponed because of their appearance in the Carling Cup Final the following day.
United are without 12 senior players for tonight’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Brom, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson to pick through his squad for a team of fit players.
Ferguson was hoping the situation might have eased in time United’s next league game against Everton – with both Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown tipped to be available after long-standing back and ankle problems respectively and Park Ji-sung on the brink of a comeback from a minor hamstring complaint.
But the Old Trafford encounter with David Moyes’s men will now be played 48 hours ahead of schedule – moving forward to Saturday January 31 from Monday February 2 to clear the way for Everton’s FA Cup replay with Liverpool on February 4.
It robs Ferdinand, Brown and Park, or anyone else among United’s walking wounded who might have had a chance of returning against Everton, of two extra days’ preparation.
The late change is part of a confusing February fixture list for United.
Their remaining outstanding game against Fulham - originally postponed in August because of the Red Devils’ presence in the European Super Cup - has been pencilled in for February 17. But that will be dependent on neither side requiring a fifth-round replay.
In addition, the Red Devils’ home match against Portsmouth on February 28 has been postponed because of their appearance in the Carling Cup Final the following day.
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