MU has just submitted an urgent request to the Premier League

Manchester United recently held an official discussion with the Premier League after expressing concerns about the congested midweek fixtures and the impact of scheduling on fans during the year-end period.

According to The Athletic, between October 5 and December 25, Manchester United only has one home game scheduled on a weekend – the match against Brighton at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, the other three home games against Everton, West Ham, and Bournemouth have all been moved to midweek slots, causing an overloaded schedule for the team.

The away match against Wolves, originally planned for Saturday, December 6, was also shifted to Monday evening, December 8. Additionally, the game versus Newcastle is likely to take place on Boxing Day, Friday, although this has not yet been confirmed.

The broadcast schedule changes by the Premier League in December are seen as the main reason the team under coach Ruben Amorim has to play continuously during midweek. This prompted Manchester United’s management, especially CEO Omar Berrada, to speak out. He had a “constructive” conversation with Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, to express concerns about the fixture list and proposed some adjustments to ease the burden on the club.

“We understand the broadcasting pressures and competition between leagues, but it is crucial that fans receive earlier notice of fixture changes, especially during the busy holiday season.” a source close to Man United revealed.

MU also emphasized that scheduling too many midweek games not only affects players’ fitness but also creates difficulties for fans. According to a survey from the Supporters’ Forum, many fans booked travel and accommodation in advance but were unable to attend when matches were rescheduled. Some supporter groups from Ireland reported that attendance dropped by more than half because there were no return trains after late-night matches.

Moreover, the congested schedule has also disrupted Manchester United’s plan to hold a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia. The club intended to organize this tour to compensate for lost revenue due to not participating in European competitions. However, with the dense match calendar until year-end, this plan is now considered “nearly unfeasible.”

“Friendly matches generate significant revenue and help the club continue investing in the squad,” Omar Berrada affirmed, highlighting the importance of maintaining connections with global fans.

The Premier League is currently reviewing feedback from Manchester United and other clubs before finalizing the new broadcast schedule for the year-end period. Meanwhile, Man United hopes reasonable adjustments will be made to protect the interests of players, the club, and especially the fans who have supported the team throughout this challenging journey.

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