Manchester United has taken a stand following a series of fixture changes in the Premier League, which have disproportionately affected traveling supporters. The club’s latest clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, scheduled for May 6, has been shifted to an 8pm kick-off on a bank holiday, posing significant logistical challenges for fans.
This alteration means that supporters traveling by train would risk missing a portion of the match to catch the last train back to Manchester, departing from Euston at 9.39pm, located 10 miles away from the stadium. The inconvenience compounds an already frustrating trend for United’s away fans, who have faced numerous late kick-off times this season.
Earlier this month, frustration peaked with back-to-back night games in London, culminating in a 1-1 draw against Brentford and a 4-3 defeat at Chelsea within six days. These fixtures followed a string of late away games at Burnley, Sheffield United, and Newcastle United, bringing the tally to six late kick-offs, the highest among Premier League teams this season.
In response to this pattern, Manchester United has voiced its concerns to the Premier League, urging greater consideration for match-going fans when arranging fixture schedules with broadcasters. The club has also taken proactive steps to support traveling supporters by offering free coach travel from Manchester to Selhurst Park, in collaboration with their partner Adidas.
In a statement addressing fans, Manchester United expressed solidarity with supporters and gratitude for their unwavering support, emphasizing their commitment to advocating for the best interests of match-going fans.