Manchester United vs. Bournemouth rescheduled for Tuesday after bomb scare

Manchester United's match against Bournemouth that was abandoned Sunday due to a bomb threat inside Old Trafford has been rescheduled, the final game of the Premier League season now slated for Tuesday at 8 p.m. local time (3 p.m. EST).

Related - Bomb disposal unit: Lifelike explosive device at Old Trafford 'wasn't viable'

Beginning in both the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End, fans were evacuated shortly before scheduled kick-off for the contest after a suspicious package was found in the northwest end of the stadium.

The match was initially delayed before the decision was made, on the recommendation of Greater Manchester Police, to cancel the game entirely. After sniffer dogs scoured the empty stadium, bomb disposal experts arrived to execute a controlled explosion of the device, which local police described afterwards as "incredibly lifelike" but ultimately not "viable."

"We would like to thank Manchester United's staff, the police and other emergency services for all their efforts today as well as rearranging the match for this coming Tuesday," read a brief statement from the Premier League.

"Both Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth's management has been extremely helpful."

United, sitting sixth in the table, needs a solitary point to leapfrog Southampton and secure an automatic place in next season's Europa League. That same objective can be achieved, however, with a victory in the FA Cup final later this month. Should Louis van Gaal's men finish off this rollercoaster of a season by losing both matches, they would enter the continental competition in the third qualifying round.

Even the most ardent United supporter will concede that Champions League qualification is out of reach, as the much-maligned side needs to defeat Bournemouth by 19 goals to leapfrog bitter rival Manchester City for fourth in the table.