This debate about fixtures reminded me of the GPC's rant about the list in 2009. If nothing else, it gives an insight into the behind the scenes machinations;
United have still to entertain Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa at home, arguably handing them an advantage in the title run-in, but Ferguson insists that the club are already planning to address the fixture issue with the Premier League ahead of the publication of the 2009-10 fixtures.
Ferguson said: "I've been saying this for a few months, but our programme didn't do us any favours and I think we have been handicapped by the Premier League in the fixture list.
"They tell me it's not planned. I've got my doubts. I'm not saying what they do down there, but next year we will be sending somebody to see how it happens, I can assure you. I just don't understand how you can get the fixtures like that."
United secretary Ken Ramsden will be on the Fixtures Working Party this summer, but the Premier League, who received no complaint from United following the private release of fixtures to the 20 top-flight clubs ahead of publication last June, countered Ferguson's comments by insisting that they have no influence over the random nature of the fixture compilation.
A Premier League spokesman said: "The Premier League fixtures are put together through as random a process as possible.
"The initial list is created by specialist software before going to the Fixtures Working Party, which is made up of representatives from the Premier League, Football League, FA, clubs and supporters.
"The police also approve it before it is sent to the clubs, at which point they can raise any objections they may have.
"There are various factors that go into the structuring of the fixture list – police requests, club requests, as well as involvement in European or Fifa competitions for example – but the overriding factor is the luck of the draw."
Not sure what the makeup of the "Fixtures working Party" is currently but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that a rag official was on there somewhere.