MANCHESTER UNITED fans face travel hell for this weekend’s Premier League clash at Crystal Palace.
The Old Trafford faithful relying on the train could be stranded in London after Saturday’s 5:30pm kick-off at Selhurst Park.
United fans hoping to take the train to the game face a race against time to get home.
That is because there is only one direct service they could realistically catch back to Manchester Piccadilly after the match.
The game will finish at 7:30pm and the 2,000 travelling supporters will have just 48 minutes to make the first train from Central London.
But the pile out itself will take a while before fans would need to journey 10 miles from Croydon to Euston.
That means the 21:01pm train is the only realistic service that thousands of United fans can take back to the North West via public transport.
The next service is at 21:11pm from St Pancras and costs £110.70 – but this does not arrive in Manchester until 10:29am the following morning.
Erik ten Hag already called out the Premier League and the TV companies for their “unfair” scheduling multiple times.
The Dutchman complained after United beat Southampton last Saturday lunchtime.
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Inspired by Jurgen Klopp‘s rage at 12:30pm kick-offs, Ten Hag told TNT: “First of all, for the fans it is very unfair to deal with this, with 8pm away games on a Saturday night.”
The Red Devils wrote to the Prem last season to outline their frustration after they were given more Saturday 8pm kick-offs than any other team.
These included trips to Newcastle and Brentford on Easter Sunday, plus night games at Palace and Chelsea.
In March, the last train back to Manchester from the capital departed two minutes after kick-off at the Community Stadium.
And many United fans were stranded in last season’s mirrored fixture at 8pm on bank holiday Monday, when Palace smashed the Red Devils 4-0 thanks to several howlers from make-shift centre-back Casemiro.
It’s been four years since United won away at Palace in the Prem.
The Red Devils won 2-0 during the Covid disruption in July 2020 with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on the scoresheet.
MARCUS RASHFORD scored his first Premier League goal in 189 days as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.
The Red Devils got back to winning ways after suffering defeats in their last two Prem games, with Matthijs de Ligt notching his first Man Utd goal.
But United had Andre Onana to thank as the keeper kept out Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0.
Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated United’s stars…
Andre Onana – 7
Saved the penalty by Cameron Archer, albeit a poor one from the Southampton forward.
But that stop and the stopped rebound proved to be absolutely crucial.
Noussair Mazraouri – 7
Needed treatment after falling awkwardly in the first half but that did not stop him from delivering a solid performance.
Also got forward to good effect before being one of three United defenders to be subbed off.
Matthijs De Ligt – 8
Shaky start defensively but was unmarked to score from Bruno Fernandes cross to calm United’s nerves with the opener.
He was delighted to get his first United goal and dedicated his celebration to his wife’s birthday today.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Not been in great form so anything was an improvement – although Saints’ attack was toothless.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Suffered an absolute shocker of a first half courtesy of Southampton’s tricky wingers.
Conceded the penalty after bringing down Tyler Dibling but was also constantly exposed throughout the half.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
United continue to lean far too heavily on such a young player. And this defensive role does not really suit him.
Christian Eriksen – 7
A surprise starter although United’s two goals came from his corners.
The system, though, still does not play to his strengths as he is too deep.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Cracking corner cross ball from Eriksen who plonked the ball on the head of De Ligt.
Amad Diallo – 7
Looked lively throughout – really encouraging. Teed up Rashford for the second goal.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6
Forced a couple of saves by Aaron Ramsdale but does not look like a 25 goal-a-season striker.
Marcus Rashford – 7
Hopefully the second goal will give him a real confidence boost. Also forced a couple of saves from Aaron Ramsdale.
SUBS
Garnacho (for Rashford 73 mins) 7
Was brutally fouled by Stephens who saw red shortly after coming on. Notched United’s third goal of the game in the final minute.
He struck high into Ramsdale’s high corner after a brilliant ball from Casemiro.
Manuel Ugarte (for Eriksen 73 mins) 6
Harry Maguire (for Mazraouri 74 mins) 6
Jonny Evans (for Martinez 77 mins) 6
