MANCHESTER UNITED fans face being stranded again over their latest fixture swap.
The club’s supporters trust has accused the Premier League of “trolling” them after United were given an 8pm kick-off at Crystal Palace on a bank holiday Monday.
Man Utd fans face another late trip to London, this time on a bank holiday[/caption]The game on May 6 will be United’s FIFTH 8pm kick-off this season, more than any other club in the Premier League.
The previous four all took place on a Saturday, and were all away from home.
United fans were left stranded in London on Easter Saturday after their game at Brentford was selected for TV coverage.
The last train back to Manchester Piccadilly from the capital departed two minutes after kick-off at the Community Stadium.
And supporters face forking out for another hotel in London, with the last train to Manchester from Euston on May 6 leaving at 9.39pm.
It means fans would have to leave the match at Crystal Palace in the first half, with Selhurst Park located 10 miles from Euston.
The £36.50 is the only affordable option available which would get United fans back to Manchester on the same night.
There is an 11.35pm service back north from St Pancras that costs £39.70.
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But this does not arrive at Manchester Piccadilly until 7.36am the following morning.
Likewise, there is an 11.07pm from London Marylebone that arrives at 7.29am.
Only this service costs a mind-boggling £184.70.
The next available train from Euston also costs that price and leaves at 12.39am on Tuesday May 7 — but again is another sleep service that doesn’t arrive in Manchester until 8am.
The United supporters trust hit out at the Premier League’s decision to move to game at Palace to such an awkward time.
A statement read via the Mail: “On the back of our fourth Saturday night 8pm away fixture of the season, it now feels like the football authorities and TV companies are trolling United fans with a bank holiday Monday evening kick-off time, away from home again.
“Once again, the needs of match-going fans seem to be the last thing anyone cares about.
“There needs to be a complete change of mindset from those who determine kick-off times, and fans need to be brought into the decision-making process.”
Man Utd's late kick-offs
All their 8pm starts in the Premier League this season:
- Burnley 0 Man Utd 1
- Sheff Utd 1 Man Utd 2
- Newcastle 1 Man Utd 0
- Brentford 1 Man Utd 1
- Crystal Palace vs Man Utd – Monday May 6