Manchester United’s CEO Omar Berrada has raised concerns with the Premier League regarding the frequency of midweek evening matches the club is scheduled to play leading up to Christmas. This comes as United prepares to host Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Following their upcoming game against Fabian Hurzeler’s side, United will not have another weekend home fixture until Boxing Day, when they will face Newcastle United. All matches at Old Trafford leading to Christmas are set for midweek slots with evening kick-off times.
It is reported that Berrada has communicated with the Premier League about the fixture scheduling, emphasizing the financial burden on match-going fans attending evening games. Discussions between Berrada and Premier League officials are said to have been positive, with the United CEO highlighting the significance of fans attending matches in English football.
Furthermore, Berrada urged the Premier League to finalize broadcasting decisions earlier to allow supporters to plan their Christmas activities around match schedules. The dialogue between Berrada and the league demonstrates the club’s attention to the concerns of United supporters.
Recently, fan groups have expressed frustration over the fixture arrangements for this season, particularly the high number of midweek home games. The United Fans’ Forum conveyed their sentiments in a letter to the club, which responded by supporting increased Monday and Friday night matches as part of the new broadcast agreement.
The proposal for more Monday and Friday night games was also seen as a solution to accommodate the expanded European schedule, which includes a record number of clubs competing in the Champions League, Europa League, and UEFA Conference League. While United did not qualify for any continental competitions this season, they faced a demanding schedule last season in the Europa League.
In recent matches, United secured significant victories over Liverpool and Sunderland, propelling them into ninth place in the Premier League standings. The upcoming game against Brighton poses a challenge, with doubts lingering over the availability of key players Harry Maguire and Mason Mount.
Looking ahead, United aims to maintain their winning streak under manager Amorim and address fan concerns, showing a commitment to supporting the fanbase amidst fixture challenges.
