The space time continuum was in turmoil last night after six rogue minutes and 14 pesky seconds were clearly seen lurking where they shouldn't have existed at all.
Pitch-side medics at Old Trafford were left scratching their heads in disbelief as the errant minutes were inexplicably added to yesterday's Manchester derby game during which no treatment was administered by any medical staff to any of the players.
"We simply don't know what's going on" admitted one team spokesman who wished to remain anonymous, "although this isn't the first time it's happened" added the visiting side's baldy chief kit man, 79.
Throughout EPL history, rumours have abounded as to the nature of this strange phenomenon with many convinced that ley lines in the Manchester United area are prompting the occasional time imbalances.
Conspiracy theorists have pointed the finger at a shady, weird but powerful sect known only as The Referees Association who, it is said, wields the power to add extra minutes to any given match on a whim, or by arrangement after the transfer of funds to their chosen charity.
Boffins were hastily assembled and driven to a top secret underground location to brainstorm through the night to decide how to restore the equilibrium.
In a statement given earlier today, top boffin Professor Max Cranium said: "This blip in linear time has been identified as, what we now call, 'The Ferguson Effect'. 2o years ago, the implications of 'The Ferguson Effect' would have been cause for concern but science has progressed.
"We have been in touch with our colleagues at The Large Hadron Collider who have recently smashed together an old-style copper alarm clock and a calculator at a million miles per hour and at 15,000 degrees centigrade.
"The resultant hybrid will now allow us to deduct six minutes and 14 seconds from Wednesday 31st February 2057 to cover what was added on Sunday."
Professor Cranium, 93, then sneezed, giving rise to a sizeable cloud of talcum powder.
Many Newcastle United fans we're also at a complete loss to explain the extraordinary events which unfolded at Old Trafford yesterday.
One fan said: "Extra time awarded at Old Trafford is not a new thing. What is astonishing is that Michael Owen wasn't unavailable due to injury."
