Steven Gerrard's FA Cup derby leveller for Liverpool may have unwittingly handed Manchester United a problem.
United are without 12 senior players for tomorrow'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' 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 the Toffees, 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'S WALKING WOUNDED
Owen Hargreaves (knee) - OUT FOR SEASON
Fabio (calf) - UNKNOWN
Rafael (hamstring) - THREE WEEKS
Nani (groin) - TWO WEEKS
Wayne Rooney (hamstring) - TWO WEEKS
Anderson (ankle) - TWO WEEKS
Jonny Evans (ankle) - TWO WEEKS
Patrice Evra (foot) - TWO WEEKS
Danny Welbeck (ankle) - ONE WEEK
Park Ji-sung (hamstring) - RETURN IMMINENT
Rio Ferdinand (back) - RETURN IMMINENT
Wes Brown (ankle) - RETURN IMMINENT
0 comments:
Post a Comment