Chelsea postponement no issue for Manchester United

[I.LuV.ManUTd!]

RedManc understands Manchester United have no issue over Sunday's game at Chelsea being postponed.



It was called off on Saturday due to heavy snow, but much of it had melted by Sunday and the pitch was fine.

Rio Ferdinand has been critical, but it could have favoured United with Anderson and Nemanaja Vidic doubtful.

He said on Twitter "Did anyone see the Ipswich game? Pitch covered in snow....so how come that game is played and ours is postponed?."

Some Manchester United fans on the BBC's internet forum 606 questioned whether Chelsea, who are having a poor run, had called off the Premier League game to delay playing their in-form opponents.

However, only the match referee, police, the local authorities or the Premier League can call a game off. And the Premier League confirmed that the game was called off, some 27 hours before kick-off at the behest of the police and the local authority.

"The decision was made on health and safety grounds following consultation between the local authority, the club and the police," added a Chelsea spokesman.

"With the downpour of snow on Saturday morning, it wasn't just conditions around the stadium but the whole Fulham area. There were concerns about people getting to the ground, as well as staffing at the game and police staffing."

The Premier League argues that, had a decision been made on the day, it would have faced criticism from fans who had already travelled from the north west.

In a later tweet, United defender Ferdinand referred to the safety issue. He said: "Safety for fans travelling to the game is the general feedback....I get it tweeps!"

United gained some benefit from the postponement with captain Vidic and midfielder Anderson struggling to be fit, both having been ill. Furthermore, midfielder Paul Scholes is out until the new year.

Chelsea may also have been pleased since Didier Drogba and Michael Essien are struggling to find their best form and Frank Lampard has only recently recovered from injury.

Meanwhile, the Premier League is confident the big freeze will not lead to serious fixture congestion at the end of the season.

Eight matches have been postponed due to the weather so far - including two involving United.

But Premier League officials say there are sufficient dates set aside to cope.

A spokesman said: "Our football department will already have contingency dates in mind and will work closely with the affected clubs to get new dates agreed as quickly as possible."

The game between Blackpool and Manchester United at Bloomfield Road has already been rearranged to the last week in January.

[treble99]

LIES!