Fergie set for congestion charge

James Robson

December 23, 2008

TRICKY FIXTURE LIST: Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson

IT'S difficult to know what pleased Sir Alex Ferguson more - the result in Yokohama on Sunday, or the ones at the Emirates and Goodison Park some 6,000 miles away.

Liverpool's failure to beat 10-man Arsenal and Chelsea's goalless draw at Everton has handed United a psychological boost in their bid to become champions of England as well as the world.

Should United win their two games in hand, the Reds would move to within a point of the top. The only problem for Fergie is fitting those games in.

Which is why United's visit to St Mary's on January 4 could prove one of the most pivotal of their season.

That FA Cup third round tie could have far-reaching consequences for their hopes of Premier League and Champions League success, with United banking on a result one way or another to avoid a potentially crippling fixture pile-up.

United have two games to make up on their rivals after matches against Fulham and Wigan were postponed because of the European Super Cup and World Club Cup respectively.

Repercussions

With the Champions League starting up again in February, as well as the international calendar in March, it leaves them with very little wiggleroom to re-schedule those games.

And the waters have been further muddied by their success in the Carling Cup in which their semi-final with Derby will take up two midweek fixtures.

It means a replay against Southampton could have damaging repercussions.

United have earmarked January 14 to play Wigan, but that will be scrapped if either side faces a replay in the Cup. The Fulham game, which dates back to August 30, will be crammed into a hectic February, which already includes both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final and the Champions League.

Again it will rely on neither United nor Fulham facing replays in the FA Cup.

The situation could become critical if United overcome Derby and reach the Carling Cup final on March 1.

That would mean yet another Premier League fixture being postponed and given a worst case scenario of neither the Wigan nor Fulham games going ahead, United would head into the busiest part of the season with three games in hand on their title rivals.

Ferguson's greatest fear is a repeat of 1992 when United ended up playing four games in seven days - winning only one - allowing Leeds to pip them to the title.

Do you think United's cramped fixture list will be a problem? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (15) |

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Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville (23/12/2008 at 14:38)

The Reserves will imo play against Southampton and Derby, with a smattering of senior figures which should be enough to see us through to the next round and final.

We have a good sized squad and may get the two Serbian lads to bolster our squad or at least Tosic? If not any of them maybe one other?

We're traditionally strong at this time of the year so lets kick on and pick up some more silverware.

Bring it on!!

Barry Lee, USA (23/12/2008 at 15:06)

I'd rather have this problem than not have it. Fixture congestion means we are successful and still involved in all tournaments. The key is to avoid replays in the FA Cup. The key to avoiding them is to play your best team from the start and then sub when the game is safe. If we play our reserves then we risk having to chase a game and end up with replays.

Red Afro, Derby (23/12/2008 at 15:08)

Yes! This is a problem needing genius thinking to solve. Fergie will need to turn to the full squad for redemption. This might prove to be a great chance for our fringe players like Manucho, Evans, O'Shea, Giggs, Neville, etc to shine. For me the timing on its own is crucial. The earlier we play our games in hand the better. Without doubt there'll be more psycological and physical pressure come March/April, let alone May. Congra boys for being Champs of the World. Season's Greetings for all you boys on this great site.

steve chew, usa (23/12/2008 at 15:11)

This is the cost of chasing history. Our opponents have opened the EPL window for us and we need to take advantage of it. We are still in all competitions. This is the time we need all 22 players to step up to the plate. The whole team needs to see that no game is less important the another. All hands on deck! As they say, 'there are no short cuts to any place worth going'. GO MU!

Red Rob (West Lower) (23/12/2008 at 15:53)

No worries. Back in 1992 we had Mal Donaghy, Mike Phelan and Clayton Blackmore to spread the burden. the situation is a bit different these days me thinks.

Gerry, Glastonbury (23/12/2008 at 16:33)

There is a worry of course, but it shows you what an absurd idea these world club comp's are. Do they really mean anything - no!
Do you see the fans out in the streets celebrating - no! Has the Prime Minister congratulated the club - no!. An utter waste of time to chase a worthless tin pot. I'd rather have the Carling Cup.
Champions of the World? Do me a favour.

SpookyfaeCanmore, Canmore, AB (23/12/2008 at 16:53)

Now the time not only for the 22 players to step up and play each game as if its the most important, but also the fans. We need to recreate the Barca atmosphere at each and every game, home and away, and help push those players to what could be our most successful season ever! Can't wait for the Stoke game.

Wrigleys Extra, Manchester (23/12/2008 at 17:21)

We have a good enough squad to still field a strong and experienced team against southampton. I would say a mixture of experience and youth for Derby and if both games are going smoothly, bring on the subs.

tonimikie, Lagos (23/12/2008 at 18:21)

Well, Gerry . . . take it eeasy. I'll give you the award for making the only negative comment . . . at least for now. Let's enjoy who or what we are . . . THE WORLD CHAMPIONS. One United

TMUF, Manchester (23/12/2008 at 23:43)

As has been said it is a great problem to have as it means we are succesfull and would love to have this problem every year!

Barry Lee, USA altho I agree it is a great idea, you cannot ask or even expect our best players to start EVERY game of the season!

Besides we have a strong squad and what would it do to them and morale if they were always consigned to the bench.

Not to mention the fact they need to have match sharpness etc etc

Besides its a great to see our underdogs shine!

keithmat (23/12/2008 at 23:49)

We should ask LORD Triesman and the FA to extend the season by 2 weeks, we'd probably get 5 points deducted! How about adding a 39th game in the Antarctic while we're at it.

Raju, Katmandu (24/12/2008 at 02:47)

Yes, yes, yes.

Now we need to close the gap in the league. This will be the third opportunity handed to us to do so. So please, please, please, a win, two wins! And then we are set. Good thing Evra and Vidic are getting a break. They will come back fresh for the pile-up. How exciting.

danny, WILMSLOW (24/12/2008 at 14:01)

Gerry, Glastonbury. You surprise me you should get a job with the media.
This is no worthless trophy in fact its the best in the world.The fact is that United have won it so no recognition.
I was proud of how we played and for me its somthing to brag about.
You are like the media they only put out bad news like they want things to get worse they love it.
How often do you see them giving out positive vibes.
If you keep telling people things are really bad thats the wrong way.

Shola, Helsinki, Finland (25/12/2008 at 11:24)

Yeh! and thats why i love Manchester United. It makes me feel like a champion. We are involved in every thing, thats how it shoud be.
Greetings to you all and thanks for making 2008 a joyfull year for us all.

Andy Bergen, Bergen, Norway (25/12/2008 at 12:01)

Would it be possible to play three times a week? If we play PL saturday and tuesday, then LC/FAC-replays at thursdays, we'd avoid what happened to Rangers last season. Most people agree we can field a decent b-side against lower league opposition, that ought to do the business.
This would mean we could play the first 11 against PL opposition without them being fresher as they would also having played saturday, and the cup sides will not have played too much in the PL matches, so they're fairly fresh.

Foster/Kuzczak - 4 from Neville, Brown, 2* Da Silva, Evans, O' Shea - 4 from Fletcher, Park, Nani, Giggs, Anderson, Gibson, Possebon - Tevez, Manucho/Welbeck

Should be able to beat most Championship sides, wouldn't you say?

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