Man Utd and Man City to MISS opening weekend of Premier League season after flopping in European competitions
MANCHESTER UNITED and neighbours City are set to miss the first weekend of the Premier League season following their Euro exits. The Red Devils were dumped out of the Europa League last night in the semi-finals after going down 2-1 to Sevilla. That followed Man City’s shock 3-1 defeat to Lyon in the last-eight of […]
MANCHESTER UNITED and neighbours City are set to miss the first weekend of the Premier League season following their Euro exits.
The Red Devils were dumped out of the Europa League last night in the semi-finals after going down 2-1 to Sevilla.
That followed Man City’s shock 3-1 defeat to Lyon in the last-eight of the Champions League 24 hours previous.
Now those results have eased what could have been a major fixture headache ahead of the Premier League fixture list being announced on Friday.
Both teams were promised a minimum of 30 days off once they had completed their 2019/20 campaign, but now having both been eliminated, that should mean they only miss the opening round of matches on September 12.
That has now raised the possibility that both could kick-off their new seasons in midweek in either September 15/16.
However, The Telegraph claims United want a longer break and have requested to begin the new campaign a few days later.
It is also believed top-flight chiefs do not want to schedule the Manchester Derby that early in the season due to it being behind closed doors.
After their respective results over the weekend, the derby has become potentially the only fixture which would be needed to find a slot for later in the season.
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Meanwhile Wolves and Chelsea, the two other clubs that were still in European competition following the restart, will start their campaigns on time.
Wolves wanted themselves and the Blues to be the Manchester duos opponents for the opening weekend in order for the fixtures to be postponed.
That would have given them a longer break also, but that request is not expected to be met.
