Manchester United news as United's Premier League clash with Chelsea tonight breaks a vow made by the FA
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Ruben Amorim
Man United boss Ruben Amorim(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United take on Chelsea in their penultimate Premier League game of the season on Friday night before next week's huge Europa League final showdown with Tottenham.
Alongside Spurs trip to Villa Park, United's game with Chelsea has been rearranged to Friday night to ensure both clubs have equal and longer time to rest and prepare for Wednesday's final in Bilbao.
Ruben Amorim side's trip to Stamford Bridge had been scheduled to take place on Friday beforehand but Spurs' clash with Villa was brought back a day by the Premier League recently following a request from the north Londoners.
However, the double Premier League clash breaks a vow made by the Football Association. On Saturday, the FA Cup final takes place at Wembley Stadium between Manchester City and Crystal Palace (4.30pm kick-off).
When announcing details for this season's final, the FA said the fixture would take place "on an exclusive Saturday" - with no Premier League games until the Sunday - and there would be no top-flight fixtures the night before to "allow focus on the build-up to the showpiece event.
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.”
Villa vs Tottenham kicks-off at 7.30pm with United's game at Chelsea not starting until 8.15pm. Both games were initially penned-in to kick-off with the other Premier League fixtures on Sunday.
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