Sir Jim Ratcliffe during Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is facing mounting anger from Manchester United fans
Manchester United chiefs rejected a 12pm kick-off slot for next month's trip to Fulham and will instead play at 7pm.
United have endured a dreadful season, with controlling co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe facing mounting fan anger. Since taking over from the Glazers, Ratcliffe has made 250 staff redundant, scrapped the club's Christmas party and this week fired Dan Ashworth after just five months as sporting director.
The billionaire has also looked to fans to make savings and raise funds, by setting the minimum ticket price at £66 for adults, children and seniors. The supporters made their feelings clear ahead of the win over Everton with protests.
Club bosses have now risked inflaming those tensions by actively seeking a later kick-off time for the trip to Craven Cottage. They had been offered an earlier lunchtime kick-off but rejected that slot.
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That is according to The Times, who claim that United objected due to the fact their Europa League game against Rangers would end just 62 hours before a 12pm kick-off. Club chiefs are said to want more time for player recovery.
The 2pm and 4.30pm slots were already taken for Sky Sports games and so could not be used. The only one left available was the late Sunday evening slot, though the Premier League have insisted it is only a contingency time and will not be a regular slot.
United are thought to have objected to playing at noon in London they believe 72 hours is the minimum gap needed for player recovery. Fans will be unable to use trains to get from London to Manchester after the match on the Sunday evening.
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Supporters protested against Ratcliffe's ownership ahead of the win over Everton
Though a noon kick-off would have meant supporters being unable to get to Fulham by train in time. United are expected to offer supporters subsidised travel to the Fulham match.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has expressed concerns at the scheduling of the United game. The group have insisted saying the Sunday evening slot is “really unpopular” because of public transport limitations and its unsuitability for families.
A spokesman said: “The Sunday evening kick-off slot is really unpopular with match-goers as public transport options are limited and it’s no good for families with young kids. When the general slot was announced the Premier League told us it was a ‘contingency’.
"But it seems to be getting used an awful lot for such a provision. A big part of the problem is allowing broadcasters to choose ‘conditional’ picks which are then moved when a team progresses in Europe.
“The Premier League puts broadcasters first by allowing them to select such games knowing full well conditional picks are very likely to be rescheduled again.”
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