By Ian Ladyman

PUBLISHED: 08:21 EST, 12 March 2013 | UPDATED: 10:33 EST, 12 March 2013


Manchester United and Chelsea's attempts to find a date for their FA Cup quarter-final replay at Stamford Bridge will not be helped even if the London club get knocked out of the Europa League this week.

United and Chelsea officials are currently trying to find a space in their crowded calendars for their replay after Sunday's exciting 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

With a two-week international break starting next Monday, there are not many opportunities to fit the game in between now and the Wembley semi-final weekend on April 14th and 15th.

To be announced: Eden Hazard (left) celebrates on his way to earning Chelsea the replay causing the chaos

To be announced: Eden Hazard (left) celebrates on his way to earning Chelsea the replay causing the chaos

However, bizarre UEFA rules that forbid domestic games taking place on the same night as Champions League or Europa League games are only serving to complicate the matter, meaning that Chelsea's result against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday night is all but irrelevant to the problem.

Chelsea are 1-0 down to the Romanian team after the first leg and may not progress but UEFA's rules – designed to protect their own competitions – mean that two weeks of available days in the first and second weeks of April have been rendered unusable by the FA regardless.

The FA currently receive a solidarity payment from UEFA after agreeing to the rule in the first place but it still does nothing to help United and Chelsea's cause.

Close-run: United's Wayne Rooney (left) and Chelsea midfielder Ramires do battle the first time around

Close-run: United's Wayne Rooney (left) and Chelsea midfielder Ramires do battle the first time around

Currently the most likely weekend for the game to take place would appear to be Easter weekend of March 30/31. United are currently due to play at Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on the Saturday lunchtime while Chelsea are due at Southampton the following day.

Both those games could be moved, although that in itself would play havoc with TV schedules because both are currently due to be broadcast live.

United, for their part, have not ruled out playing Chelsea on Good Friday, March 29.

The comments below have not been moderated.

@Bill, Wasp in the South, United Kingdom >>> wasn't fergie moaning before game against everton that they had less time to rest or was that another manager? To remind you that Chelsea played Spurs,barceloma and arsenal in 10 days last season and that at the time we moaned about the games this season it was because the 1st squad has 20 players(if you add those from the academy) and those who are on loan could of not been re-called.Get yer facts right

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The answers simple, the FA go cap in hand to SAF and ask him which date will suit him best.

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The FA will make sure their playing representatives go through anyway. They'll probably order us to play it on Friday, hours after the steaua game.

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Fergie wasn't moaning about the schedule, he was merely saying his players were tired. Stop making things up!

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Red Army ICJ - You should be ashamed of yourself for your comments. "Why dont Chelsea just forget it"? Typical irresponsible red devil comment! Pee in your pants, cos the Blues will budgeon you at the bridge!

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Well they should have won the first game. The FA Cup has got Man City's name on it this season.

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How can we be ruled by uefa if we invented the game? Sounds like our government with Brussels

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It was Fergie crying the other day about their players being tired! Chelsea last year had loads of games to fit in, they just get on with it. - Aimiee , essex, United Kingdom, 12/3/2013**** Actually, Chelsea moan as much as anyone else, only a few weeks ago they were whingeing about the number of games they had to play and how they were short of players, despite the fact that they have 22 players out on loan

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They will just have to move one of the semi finals. Oh wait that would cost the FA money.

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Maybe both teams should just forfeit and let the Inevitable Champions win it (MANCHESTER CITY) !!!!

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