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Manchester City have refused to move back their derby fixture against Manchester United on 5 May by 24 hours.
United asked for the match at Eastlands to be moved to give them more time to recover from the 2 May Champions League semi-final, second leg in Milan.
The Reds will only have 48 hours to prepare for the derby and felt it was reasonable to ask for the switch.
However, City rejected the request and insist the game must go ahead as planned, with a 1245 (BST) kick-off.
Extra spice had been added to the Manchester derby when it appeared United would clinch the Premiership title with victory at Eastlands.
However, that scenario is now an outside prospect as United would have to beat Everton at Goodison this weekend, while Chelsea would need to lose their home game against Bolton.
That would leave Sir Alex Ferguson's side holding a six-point advantage, knowing a win over Stuart Pearce's City would effectively seal the championship.
United asked for the match at Eastlands to be moved to give them more time to recover from the 2 May Champions League semi-final, second leg in Milan.
The Reds will only have 48 hours to prepare for the derby and felt it was reasonable to ask for the switch.
However, City rejected the request and insist the game must go ahead as planned, with a 1245 (BST) kick-off.
Extra spice had been added to the Manchester derby when it appeared United would clinch the Premiership title with victory at Eastlands.
However, that scenario is now an outside prospect as United would have to beat Everton at Goodison this weekend, while Chelsea would need to lose their home game against Bolton.
That would leave Sir Alex Ferguson's side holding a six-point advantage, knowing a win over Stuart Pearce's City would effectively seal the championship.
