The Dibble Are Getting Twitchy

Last updated : 03 September 2009 By Ed
Despite both United and City both playing home games at the same time in December last year the GMP is reluctant to let the same thing happen later this month. Expect one of the two games to be changed in due course.

From the Times

Manchester United and Manchester City were at the centre of security fears last night over the scheduling of their Carling Cup third-round matches.

United are due to play at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 23, the same night as City play host to Fulham in the competition.

But with the matches coming only three days after the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) want the games to be played on different days as a safety precaution given that emotions may still be running high.

GMP were in talks with both clubs yesterday and are confident a solution will be found in conjunction with the Football League, although that is likely to entail one of the clubs agreeing to play on Tuesday. United's game against Wolves is likely to be live on television, however, which could make moving it more problematic.

City are understood to have offered to play their tie on Thursday given that they do not face West Ham United in the Barclays Premier League until the Monday after, only for the suggestion to be rejected by Fulham because it would have left Roy Hodgson's team with less than two days to prepare for their league game against Arsenal at Craven Cottage.