SHARE

Manchester United and the Blues meet just two days after their Premier League games.

RVP, who is claiming United’s winner yesterday, said: “It is not ideal. Normally on the second day your muscles are quite bad — but now we have to play at this certain time.

“It is a shame but we can’t do anything about it because there are Champions League games in midweek and Chelsea are still in the Europa League. We just have to deal with it.

“People have to realise they can’t expect a great game of football because it is not possible.

“If it happens I am glad — but don’t expect it because these games are just too close to each other.”

With Chelsea still in the Europa League and UEFA frowning on fixtures between England’s top clubs on Champions League-designated days, the FA were left with little option other than to schedule the quarter-final replay so soon after a round of Premier League fixtures.

The teams were also denied extra preparation time tomorrow because Fulham are hosting QPR in the Premier League at 8pm.

They will instead have to start at 12.30pm.

Chelsea forced the replay with a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on March 10.

Meanwhile, Van Persie must wait to see whether his United goal drought is over.

The Dutch striker is claiming yesterday’s winner at Sunderland — despite it being credited as a Titus Bramble own goal.

He said: “Of course it was my goal. I enjoyed the goal because it is always good to score.

“But this was about getting all three points and we did that. It was never in doubt.”

Van Persie, who netted three times in two games for Holland last week, had gone seven matches without a goal for United — and then saw his 27th-minute effort take a big deflection off Bramble.

The 19-goal hitman will need the Dubious Goals Panel to rule in his favour as he tries to catch Liverpool’s Luis Suarez (22) in the race for the Golden Boot.

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY