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Snow threatens Manchester United vs Brighton clash as officials rush to clear pitch
MANCHESTER UNITED's FA Cup clash with Brighton could be in the balance unless officials clear away snow at Old Trafford in time.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.45pm tonight.
But a blanket of snow settled on the turf at Old Trafford earlier today.
Officials are working to clear the snow but and have around an hour to complete their task and have the pitch ready for the warm-ups.
By 6.30pm most of the snow was clear, bar one corner of the playing surface.
Snow has fallen heavily across the UK today, with certain areas badly affected.
GETTY
Scene at Old Trafford now. Groundstaff with the shovels out .@ManUtd v @OfficialBHAFC on @btsport @EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/LXHAtEc6qA
— DES KELLY (@DesKellyBTS) March 17, 2018
So much snow at Old Trafford, the staff have their work cut out ������ pic.twitter.com/ElcI1OEb51
— TheUnitedWay (@_TheUTDWay_) March 17, 2018
Gillingham's League One clash with Blackburn was called off earlier today due to the snow.
Make sure to check back to Express Sport for more updates as United officials battle to get the pitch ready in time.
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Good evening from Snow Trafford #bhafc pic.twitter.com/AbGxk9tOdI
— Andy A (@andyadd7) March 17, 2018
Manchester United vs Brighton: Could it be called off?
While there is snow on the Old Trafford pitch it is unlikely officials will call off the game.
That is in part because officials appear to have enough time to clear the worst of the snow.
Neither United nor Brighton would want to stage the game again, especially with fixture congestion increasing towards the end of the season.
And with the match being shown live on BT Sport, the chances match organisers would cancel the game completely are slim.
However, if officials cannot clear enough of the snow in time, the match referee may opt to delay kick off.