Man Utd and Spurs’ rearranged Premier League games break promise made by FA

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are in Premier League action on Friday to allow both equal rest before next week’s Europa League final but the FA had previously said games would not be scheduled before Cup final

Manchester United are gearing up to face Chelsea, while Spurs are preparing to take on Aston Villa in rearranged Premier League fixtures on Friday night.

But the Friday night matches, moved so both clubs could have equal and longer rest ahead of Wednesday night’s season-defining Europa League final in Bilbao, break a vow made by the Football Association about the FA Cup final.

Crystal Palace face Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday afternoon and the FA said when announcing plans for this season’s cup that not only would the final take place “on an exclusive Saturday” but there would be no top-flight fixtures the night before “to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.”

But Spurs’ visit to Villa, who were unhappy with the date of the game being changed, will now kick off at 7:30pm on Friday, followed by Chelsea versus United at 8:15pm. Both Friday night games were initially set to take place alongside other Premier League matches on Sunday.

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Palace and City only learnt of the kick-off time for their meeting at Wembley a fortnight before the game following protracted negotiations involving broadcasters. However the 4:30pm will allows supporters travelling from Manchester sufficient time to reach Euston station for trains home.

In a statement confirming changes to this season’s Cup, the FA said last year : “The Emirates FA Cup Final will now take place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, on an exclusive Saturday with no Premier League fixtures taking place on the same day.

“Additionally, there will be no Premier League games on the Friday night before the final, to allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.”

The priority for both United and Spurs will be to come through without any fresh injuries and both Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou are expected to name a rotated team.

Spurs captain Heung-min Son will be given an opportunity to build up his minutes at Villa Park having returned from a month out with a foot injury against Crystal Palace last weekend.

But several key figures may only be named on the bench as focus turns to Bilbao, with not only major silverware on offer but a place in next season’s Champions League and the huge financial benefits that brings.

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