FA Cup

The FA put pressure on the Reds to take part in the inaugural World Club tournament, to be held in Brazil next January, in the belief that it will aid England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Being out of the FA Cup gives United more dates which can be used to reschedule domestic games which will be postponed because of the Brazil tournament. In announcing the decision, club chairman Martin Edwards said, "We have done a lot of talking with the FA and the Premier League and it seems the only sensible way is to withdraw.

"This is a chance for Manchester United to become the first champions of the world," he continued. "In reaching the difficult decision the club has been persuaded in the national interest of England's bid to host the World Cup in 2006. This decision has been reached after extensive discussions with the Football Association and the Government, during which time every possible alternative was considered.

"The reality is that fixture congestion would not realistically allow us to compete in both competitions. Both the Football Association and the Government are exteremely supportive of our decision. "We realise that many of our supporters will be as disappointed, as indeed we are, with our decision not to play in the FA Cup," the Chairman concluded.

David Davies, acting Chairman of the FA, claimed, "We at the FA have agonised over this decision, and have tried to find a way for United to play in Brazil and in the FA Cup, and there really was no way. "Manchester United will return to the FA Cup the season after next, and we look forward to that.

"We've asked Manchester United to lead English club football onto the world stage, they've accepted that challenge and we thank them," he said. "The fixture list made me think, how can I keep my troops honed for the run-in, if hopefully we are challenging for something," said Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I can't believe we're going to have the same luck as we had last year, when we got to the end of the season, winning three trophies and having just two injuries. I need to have the best chance to win the trophies we want to win, and the Premiership and Europe are the priorities.

"I'm disappointed, but we have no option. We can't play in Brazil and in the FA Cup. It's impossible. We're in a no-win situation," he said.

The World Club Championships will run from January 5-14, meaning a two-week Premiership sabbatical for the Reds. This decision means that the prospect of United facing 77 matches next season is gone. While that will please some people, withdrawl from the FA Cup is sure to cause outrage among other supporters.