Manchester United bosses reportedly turned down a 12pm kick-off slot for next month’s journey to Fulham, opting instead for a 7pm game. The club has had a disastrous season, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe facing escalating fan anger.
Since INEOS’s purchase of 27.7 per cent of the club, Ratcliffe has made 250 staff redundant, cancelled the club’s Christmas party and this week dismissed Dan Ashworth after only five months as sporting director. The billionaire has also sought savings and fundraising from fans by setting the minimum ticket price at £66 for adults, children and seniors.
Supporters expressed their discontent ahead of the victory over Everton with protests. Club executives have now risked exacerbating these tensions by actively pursuing a later kick-off time for the trip to Craven Cottage.
They were offered an earlier lunchtime kick-off but declined that slot. According to The Times, United objected due to their Europa League match against Rangers ending just 62 hours before a 12pm kick-off.
Club chiefs reportedly want more time for player recovery. The 2pm and 4.30pm slots were already booked for Sky Sports games and so could not be utilised.
The only remaining option was the late Sunday evening slot, although the Premier League have stated it is only a contingency time and will not be a regular slot.
Manchester United have raised concerns over being scheduled to play at noon in London, citing insufficient recovery time as they argue 72 hours is the minimum needed for player recuperation. Their fans face travel woes, unable to catch trains from London to Manchester on Sunday evening following the match.
While an earlier kick-off might have solved the issue of getting to Fulham by train, United are expected to provide subsidised travel for the away game.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has criticised the timing of the United fixture, highlighting its inconvenience for fans, especially those with families. A spokesman voiced the fans’ frustrations: “The Sunday evening kick-off slot is really unpopular with match-goers as public transport options are limited and it’s no good for families with young kids. When the general slot was announced the Premier League told us it was a ‘contingency’.
“But it seems to be getting used an awful lot for such a provision. A big part of the problem is allowing broadcasters to choose ‘conditional’ picks which are then moved when a team progresses in Europe.
“The Premier League puts broadcasters first by allowing them to select such games knowing full well conditional picks are very likely to be rescheduled again.”
