ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger and Liverpool boss Roy Evans yesterday backed the Premier League's rejection of Manchester United's bid for an extension to the season.

Wenger, whose Arsenal team is three points behind United in the title race with one less game to play, stuck to his guns yesterday and said: "This is the right decision by the Premier League for this season. It is impossible to change the rules so near the end.

"However, I am certain we must now all work together, administrators and managers, to make sure his problem does not arise again.

In fact, Premier League officials have already pledged to open up a three-way dialogue with the Football Association and the Football League so that long-term contingencies can be laid.

United, though, are still predictably unhappy with the fact that they must now face Leicester, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and West Ham all within the last nine days of the season. And chief executive Martin Edwards has already indicated they will appeal or even go to court seeking a judicial review.