Man Utd complain to Premier League over rescheduled Bank Holiday fixture

Manchester United
Man Utd complain to Premier League over rescheduled Bank Holiday fixture
Man Utd fans handed difficult journey to London for Bank Holiday Monday fixture
Red Devils will offer supporters coach travel with public train timetable reduced
United urge Premier League for 'greater consideration' over scheduling

By Jude Summerfield
Apr 11, 2024
Man Utd fans have been dealt a raw deal
Man Utd fans have been dealt a raw deal / Marc Atkins/GettyImages
Manchester United will write to the Premier League to ask for more consideration for their fans over fixture scheduling after their clash with Crystal Palace in May was arranged for the evening of a Bank Holiday Monday.

The Red Devils will travel down from Manchester to take on the Eagles at Selhurst Park early next month, though visiting supporters face a logistical nightmare to make the game due to a lack of public transport.

Train operators Avanti West Coast will run a reduced timetable over the Bank Holiday weekend, with last direct train back to Manchester due to leave London Euston at 21:39 GMT.

Man Utd will offer free coach travel to fans but have also confirmed they will urge the Premier League to avoid making a similar scheduling decision in the future.

A message sent to Man Utd ticket holders reads: "We share your frustrations and appreciate the logistical difficulties that have been created for our fans by this fixture being scheduled for an 8pm kick off on bank holiday Monday in London.

"We want to inform you that we are writing to the Premier League to this effect and will be asking for greater consideration to be given to match-going fans when agreeing fixture schedules with broadcasters."

United fans face a trip to London before visiting Palace when they take on Coventry City in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday 21 April.

Rick McGagh, United's director of fan engagement, added: "The role that match-going fans play in the success of the Premier League should never be overlooked or taken for granted, and scheduling fixtures without consideration on the impact of the fans often provides barriers to attendance."

Man Utd extended their winless run to three games despite fighting back to claim a draw with Liverpool last time out, having previously tied with Brentford and lost to Chelsea in England's capital.

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Man Utd predicted lineup vs Bournemouth - Premier League
Man Utd aim to end winless run when they visit Bournemouth this Saturday
Red Devils currently sixth in the table but could drop if they fail to win on south coast
Erik ten Hag has a huge number of defensive injury concerns to deal with

By Ewan Ross-Murray
Apr 11, 2024
Manchester United are aiming to bring a three-game winless run to an end this weekend when they visit Bournemouth in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have been inconsistent all season and their unpredictability has proved an issue since the March international break. Late draws with Liverpool and Brentford and an even later defeat to Chelsea have seen Erik ten Hag's side cut adrift in the race for top four, with the FA Cup the only potential saving grace for Man Utd this term.

However, a win against Bournemouth would exorcise some demons with the Cherries having won the reverse fixture 3-0 at Old Trafford back in December. Andoni Iraola's side have been in strong form of late and can close the gap between themselves and the Red Devils to just five points with victory on Saturday.

Ten Hag does have a heap of defensive injuries that somewhat mitigate his side's recent woes, with the Dutchman potentially welcoming a few faces back this weekend.

Here's how Man Utd could line up against Bournemouth.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
Marcus Rashford
Ten Hag will hope to have Rashford fit / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
GK: Andre Onana - The Cameroonian made some big saves against Liverpool last week, including a top stop to deny Dominik Szoboszlai early in the game. He's still far from flawless but the summer signing is settling at Old Trafford.

RB: Diogo Dalot - Still not entirely trustworthy at the back but is a warrior in defence, fiercely fighting for every ball. Has put in some strong displays over the course of the campaign.

CB: Willy Kambwala - With Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez out and Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans potentially missing too, young Kambwala may be handed another start after featuring against Liverpool.

CB: Harry Maguire - If Kambwala does start against Bournemouth, he will need the guidance of the experienced Maguire to help him through proceedings. The Englishman has been up and down this season and will need to keep close tabs on the prolific Dominic Solanke.

LB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - Man Utd's left-back injury crisis has forced Wan-Bissaka to shift sides. He's a great one-v-one defender but is unlikely to offer much support going forward.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo - One of the few positives from a difficult season, the teenager continues to astound in the engine room. His composure and quality hit new heights last week as he bent a stunner beyond Caoimhin Kelleher against rivals Liverpool.

CM: Casemiro - The Brazilian is far from the player he was even last season but is one of the few defensively-minded midfielders at the club. With Mainoo offering the energy around him, his lack of pace and athleticism is better protected.

RM: Alejandro Garnacho - Another exciting youngster dazzling in Man Utd red, Garnacho has been a breath of fresh air for the Red Devils. Whether on the right or left, the Argentine is a relentless runner with a few good tricks up his sleeves.

AM: Bruno Fernandes - The skipper scored an outrageous goal against Liverpool last week and is still one of Man Utd's difference-makers in the final third.

LM: Marcus Rashford - Withdrawn against Liverpool due to a slight knock but should be fit to feature at the Vitality. His form is all over the place but Rashford has been better on the road this term.

ST: Rasmus Hojlund - Yet to find the back of the net since returning from injury and needs to rediscover his early 2024 form soon. Man Utd rely heavily on his pace and running in their attacking play.

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Man Utd confirm latest injury setback in defence for Bournemouth clash
Raphael Varane expected to miss a few weeks with a muscle problem
Veteran Jonny Evans also out with a short-term issue
Erik ten Hag already without Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw among others

By Jude Summerfield
Apr 11, 2024
Man Utd have been dealt another injury setback
Man Utd have been dealt another injury setback / Michael Regan/GettyImages
Manchester United will be without defender Raphael Varane for the next few weeks due to a muscle injury picked up in the recent defeat at Chelsea.

The Red Devils have struggled with fitness issues all season and have been particularly hamstrung in defence, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia all spending significant spells on the sidelines.

French World Cup winner Varane is another who has been absent at points in 2023/24 and, after he was replaced at half-time in both the draw at Brentford and the loss to Chelsea, Man Utd have confirmed he will be missing for the foreseeable future, starting with Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

Northern Irishman Jonny Evans came on for the former Real Madrid centre-back at Stamford Bridge but only managed 21 minutes himself before succumbing to a knock, with 19-year-old Willy Kambwala brought on by manager Erik ten Hag.

Raphael Varane
Varane has been subbed at half-time in his last two league games / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Evans will also be missing due to a muscle problem, though United describe it as 'shorter-term'.

For now, however, it will be Harry Maguire partnering Kambwala as Man Utd aim to end the season in strong form, with FA Cup silverware still up for grabs.

Ten Hag will give updates on the rest of his squad in his pre-match press conference on Friday, with Marcus Rashford picking up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Scott McTominay was absent entirely from the matchday squad.

The likes of Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are also unavailable due to injury.

The Red Devils have a score to settle with the Cherries this weekend, having been soundly beaten by Andoni Iraola's side 3-0 at Old Trafford in December. Victory for the south coast outfit would reduce the gap between the two sides to only five points.

READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
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Man Utd complain to Premier League over rescheduled Bank Holiday fixture
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