Fixture pile-up looms for leaders

MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal could be on a collision course over the rescheduling of their crucial Premier League fixture at Highbury.

League officials have confirmed the match, which could prove pivotal in the destination of the title, will definitely be moved from its original date on Easter Monday, April 21.

Both clubs look set to be involved in important Champions League quarter-final second-leg ties that week, making postponement inevitable.

Negotiations are presently ongoing with the Premier League anxious to avoid a situation where they are forced to dictate exactly when the game must be played.

United have traditionally brought the game forward by two or three months, as was the case with their home clash with Liverpool last season, to avoid an end of season backlog.

Arsenal though will probably be eager to delay the fixture as long as possible, keeping it as a fall-back in case they slip behind the chief threat to their championship.

That situation is also likely to appeal to broadcasters BSkyB, who will hope to have as much riding on the game is possible. Windows of opportunity are scarce however.

The Premier League has already ruled out a January re-arrangement, while if either club has a lengthy FA Cup run, the situation would become more complicated still.

Already there are only six free midweek dates between the end of January and the final game of the campaign on May 11, and these include dates kept free for FA Cup replays.

If either side makes it through to the Champions League semi-final, the latest date for the fixture to be played would be April 30.

Meanwhile, United midfielder Nicky Butt is hoping to return to action next week after recovering from a persistent ankle injury.

The England international has been on the sidelines since damaging his ankle in a game against Everton in early October.

“I am getting there slowly,” Butt said yesterday. “It is a case of taking it easy now and not doing anything stupid.”

The 27-year-old said his injury had been particularly frustrating because he had never been sure how long it was likely to take to heal.

“If everything goes well I should be back in full training next Monday,” he added.

Meanwhile, Robert Pires says he has opened negotiations with Arsenal to extend his contract. Pires said he was happy in London and was no longer interested in playing for Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old Frenchman is hoping for a two or three-year extension to his current deal, which expires in 2004.