LIKE the newly binned Manchester United away strip, the destination of the English FA Premiership trophy is a grey area again. The top two are at home to lowly opposition tonight, yet now face the added pressure of needing to pile on the goals.
On the eve of United's game against Leeds in which Gary Pallister is set to make a long awaited comeback Alex Ferguson played down the idea that they might be forced to play off for the championship with Newcastle, who face Southampton. "It won't come to that," he said, "but we do know that goals are very important."
Despite Ferguson's confidence FA Premier League officials will discuss the matter with the clubs tomorrow. The rules provide for a play off if two clubs finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored. Newcastle are two goals behind the leaders but as things stand today, they would be level on all three counts if they won their game in hand 2-0.
Agreeing a date for such a match could be awkward. United meet Liverpool in the FA Cup final on May 11th, with the following Thursday set aside for a replay. Two days later England play Hungary at Wembley, and within 48 hours Terry Venables takes his squad on a Far Eastern tour to prepare for the European Championship finals.
By tomorrow, of course, the situation may have altered radically. United look to have the less arduous task. Southampton striving for points to avoid relegation, tackle Newcastle buoyed by the 3-1 rout of United. Leeds past the 40 point safety mark have been playing as if mentally they are already on the beach.
Ferguson put it succinctly "Southampton are the one club were confident about in terms of trying their best. It's either that or go down."
On paper, United should have little trouble beating Leeds, whose defensive problems have deepened with each defeat. But it might be a different story if Howard Wilkinson sets out to stop the a home side playing. The Leeds manager paved the way for a night of massed defence by confirming that Tomas Brolin, who reportedly intends to exercise his escape" clause in the summer, would not be considered.
"I spoke to Tomas about his future and he told me he hadn't made his mind up yet," Wilkinson said.
Tony Yeboah, who injured a knee playing for Ghana a few days after the League Cup final faces a fitness test.
Meanwhile, Pallister will inform his manager as to whether his back has suffered any reaction to five days' intensive training Ferguson, asked whether Leeds preponderance of six footers made him keener to have the England defender back, said. "No. It's because he's the best centre half in the country."
Before the weekend's results threw the title race open again, Kevin Keegan welcomed the game's newest manager, John Aldridge, to "the Grey Hair Club". Anything but three points tonight and Keegan might turn as white as Manchester United's next away kit.
Faustino Asprilla (ankle) and Les Ferdinand (virus) should play as Newcastle seek to avenge their own defeat at The Dell, but John Beresford (excessive up to manager) may give way to Robbie Elliott. Whatever the personnel, both main challengers are certain to be as up for this one as Eric Cantona's collar.
