Manchester United's scheduled Premier League game with Brighton later this month will be moved after the Seagulls progressed in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, handing Erik ten Hag's side another fixture headache.
United could join Brighton in the last eight with a win over West Ham on Wednesday and their progress in the Europa League has added to a congested calendar. They were due to visit the Amex Stadium on March 19 but that is the weekend of the FA Cup quarter-finals and a new date will need to be found.
There are no viable options in March, with United facing two legs against Real Betis in the Europa League last-16, and if Ten Hag's side knock out their Spanish opponents then they would be in quarter-final action in April.
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The Brighton game could be moved to the week beginning April 10 or 17 should United fall to Betis, otherwise the game will take place in May. Currently United have four free midweeks in May to slot in fixtures but two could be taken up by Europa League semi-finals, which take place on May 11 and 18, leaving only two options for the Brighton game - weeks beginning May 1 or May 22.
The scheduling problems could be exacerbated should United continue to challenge in the two remaining cup competitions. Progress to a FA Cup semi-final would mean the match with Chelsea on April 22 would be postponed. The congestion is compounded by the date of United's league fixture at West Ham on the weekend of May 6 - which coincides with the weekend of King Charles' coronation.
The King's coronation will take place on Saturday May 6, a concert and light show will take place at Windsor Castle on May 7 and May 8 is a Bank Holiday. United's home game with Leeds, originally scheduled for September 18, was postponed by five months due to Greater Manchester Police's presence at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19.
In 2017, United almost encountered a similar quandary as they won the League Cup, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and eventually triumphed in the Europa League.
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