MANCHESTER UNITED face a fixture nightmare in 2021 after dropping down into the Europa League.
And Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester are also facing a similar headache due to their involvement in the second-string competition.
Manchester United were dumped out of the Champions League after losing to RB Leipzig
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will be paying the price for losing away at RB Leipzig as they could potentially play a whopping EIGHT games in February.
Between January 30-March 20, the Red Devils could be involved in an incredible 14 matches in just 49 days.
However they would be only play this many fixtures should they advance into the Europa League last 16 as well as progressing in both the Carabao and FA Cups.
In that time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will face Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all away in the Premier League.
But their clash at Stamford Bridge would have to be rescheduled for a later date should they reach the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, February 28.
Another tie that would have to be pushed back is their trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
United are set to face the Eagles on March 20 before the international break, but that is also the weekend where the FA Cup quarter-final matches are due to take place.
And United’s clash away at Burnley still needs to be rearranged after their season-opening match was postponed following the club’s participation in the semi-final of the Europa League last term.
Man Utd’s fixture pile-up
- January 30 – Arsenal (a) – PL
- February 2 – Southampton (h) – PL
- February 6 – Everton (h) – PL
- February 10 – Possible FA Cup fifth round tie*
- February 13 – West Brom (a) – PL
- February 18 – Europa League-last 32 first leg
- February 20 – Newcastle (h) – PL
- February 25 – Europa League-last 32 second leg
- February 27 – Chelsea (a) – PL
- February 28 – Possible Carabao Cup final*
- March 6 – Man City (a) – PL
- March 11 – Possible Europa League-last 16 first leg*
- March 13 – West Ham (h) – PL
- March 18 – Possible Europa League-last 16 second leg*
- March 20 – Crystal Palace (a) – PL
- March 20 – Possible FA Cup quarter-final*
*Subject to whether Man Utd progress through
Playing in the Europa League will again hamper United’s recovery time as they will have no week-long break between first and second leg ties.
Boss Solskjaer has already vented his anger at fixture congestion this season following a Champions League clash played in Turkey.
Premier League leaders Tottenham are also facing the same fixture nightmare as just like United, they are in the Europa League and both domestic cup competitions.
And in February they could be involved in all four competitions too where they could partake in eight games.
It is the same case for their North London rivals Arsenal who will play a guaranteed seven games in February if they are knocked out before the FA Cup fifth round.
Leicester will play at least six matches in February, as their clash against the Gunners on February 27 may have to be rearranged should Mikel Arteta’s reach the League Cup final that weekend.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
