Featured Image Credit: Andrew Yates/Sportimage / Alamy
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, Brighton And Hove Albion, West Ham United, Erik Ten Hag, Barcelona
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, Brighton And Hove Albion, West Ham United, Erik Ten Hag, Barcelona
Manchester United are one step closer to a major fixture issue after they defeated Barcelona over two legs to reach the Europa League round of 16.
United came back from 1-0 down to defeat Barcelona 2-1 in the second leg at Old Trafford, after Robert Lewandowski's controversial penalty gave the visitors a first half lead.
But goals from Fred and Antony gave Erik ten Hag's side the advantage, and a late goalline clearance from Raphael Varane secured a 4-3 aggregate victory.
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United remain involved in four competitions, with the Red Devils contesting the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday. They are also in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
And while Ten Hag can now focus on getting his side ready for the next round of the Europa League, there may be an issue that presents itself further down the line.
United take on West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round next Wednesday, having already defeated Everton and Reading to get to that stage.
As per the Manchester Evening News, if they defeat the Hammers at Old Trafford, their Premier League match against Brighton set for March 19 will be postponed.
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The most likely date for that match to be played would be in April, but United have a packed schedule for that month, with few opportunities in which to fit in the Brighton game.
And if the Red Devils reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, they will have no midweek slots in which to face Roberto De Zerbi's side.
The MEN then add there are further issues with potential upcoming fixtures, with progression to the FA Cup semi-finals resulting in the postponement of their April 22 clash with Chelsea in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, United's league fixture against West Ham on Saturday, May 6 - the date of the coronation of King Charles - will be postponed, although it is yet to be confirmed when the game, and all other games held on that weekend, will be played.
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The EFL have confirmed that Championship, League One and League Two fixtures will be played on May 7 or 8, and it remains to be seen whether the Premier League will follow suit when they reschedule fixtures.