Sir Alex Ferguson ordered his Manchester United players
some much-needed R&R after finding themselves on the wrong end
of an "unfair" fixture schedule.
After gaining a creditable draw in the hard-fought Champions
League semi-final with Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday,
United abandoned their usual strategy of immediately returning to
the north-west in favour of staying overnight in Catalonia.
They then flew to London on Thursday night before undergoing a
light training session in the capital on Friday morning as final
preparation for their title showdown with Chelsea at Stamford
Bridge.
Twelve months ago, the Red Devils also followed up a European
semi-final with a Saturday lunchtime league fixture which in that
instance worked out well, as United bounced back from the crushing
disappointment of defeat by AC Milan with victory over Manchester
City. Combined with Chelsea failing to beat Arsenal the following
day, that win proved enough to see them crowned champions.
A similar triumph over Avram Grant's men would, barring a
mathematical miracle, secure back-to-back titles for United.
However, Ferguson has noted the fixture list is in Chelsea's favour
given the Londoners gained an extra 24 hours' rest following their
equally tense draw with Liverpool.
"The fixture is not fair in terms of the timing between the two
games," said Ferguson. "Chelsea had a Tuesday fixture followed by a
Wednesday one, so they have four days to get themselves ready for
both games. There is no question that is a big advantage because,
unfortunately, all we have are 60 hours.
