Manchester United have been officially stripped of an advantage over Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the Europa League final between the two sides.
United defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday to win their semi-final by a 7-1 aggregate scoreline.
Spurs, meanwhile, completed a 5-1 aggregate win over Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt with a 2-0 away victory.
The two teams will face off in an all-English Europa League final for only the third time in the competition’s history, and the first since 2018.
It carries even more significant importance than in other years, with both teams knowing that their only way of playing in Europe at all next season is to win the Europa League and therefore qualify for the Champions League.
Ahead of the final, the Premier League have been forced into a key change to the schedule which had previously benefitted Manchester United.
United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday, May 16, with Spurs originally set to travel to take on Aston Villa on Sunday, May 18.
That would have given Ange Postecoglou’s side two days fewer rest than their Europa League final opponents, with that clash due to take place in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21.
The Premier League have already confirmed that Spurs’ game has been moved back to the Friday, with a 7:30pm kick-off, with that date now made official due to their progression to the Europa League final.
United’s clash at Chelsea, meanwhile, has been moved to a later kick-off time of 8:15pm on the same date.
A statement reads: “The Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur has been given a new date of Friday, May 16, kicking off at 19:30 BST.
“This following a request from Spurs in view of their potential participation in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, May 21.
“Additionally, the match between Chelsea and Manchester United, also taking place on Friday, May 16, will now kick off at 20:15 BST.”
According to the Daily Mail, Villa chiefs were left ‘furious‘ that their match was moved forwards, as they remain in contention for Champions League qualification for next season.
The Champions League quarter-finalists will now have six days between the Spurs clash and their upcoming fixture against Bournemouth on May 10, instead of eight days.
Villa director Damian Vidagany said: “Honestly, not happy.
“Hopefully in the future all of them would [remember] the clear prejudice in this case to Villa fans and will be consistent and equally supportive, if we need changes to help us in Europe (if hopefully we are there).
“We didn’t feel this support last season or this one. European football is not only demanding for English clubs just on the verge of the finals.”
