Solskjaer slams fixture list as man city get extra days rest before manchester derby
The age-old debate about fixture congestion and scheduling in the Premier League!
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager of Manchester United, has indeed expressed his frustration with the fixture list, particularly in the context of the upcoming Manchester Derby against Manchester City.
As you mentioned, Manchester City will have an extra two days of rest before the derby, which takes place on April 10th. This is because City's Champions League quarterfinal tie against Borussia Dortmund was played on April 6th, while United's Europa League quarterfinal tie against Roma was played on April 7th.
Solskjaer has argued that this scheduling disparity is unfair and could give City an advantage in the derby. He has also pointed out that United have had to play more games than City in recent weeks, which has taken a toll on his players.
In a press conference, Solskjaer said: "We've had a lot of games, and we've had to play more games than City. We've had to play in the Europa League, and we've had to play in the Premier League. They've had a bit of a break, and we've had to keep going."
He also added: "I think it's unfair, to be honest. We've had to play more games than City, and we've had to play in the Europa League. They've had a bit of a break, and we've had to keep going. It's not ideal, but we'll have to deal with it."
While Solskjaer's concerns are understandable, it's worth noting that the Premier League's scheduling is determined by a complex set of factors, including TV broadcast schedules, stadium availability, and player welfare. The league's officials do try to balance the fixture list to ensure that teams have a fair and reasonable amount of time to prepare for each game.
Ultimately, the Manchester Derby will be a thrilling contest, regardless of the scheduling quirks. Both teams will be eager to claim the bragging rights and three points, and it will be up to the players to rise to the occasion and deliver a high-quality performance.