Manchester United backlash has seemingly paid off, with the Premier League pressured into making a major change which is expected to be announced on Thursday
A general view of Old Trafford
Manchester United are set to learn their Christmas schedule(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United have won their dispute with the Premier League regarding Christmas fixtures, with officials set to confirm their schedule for the period on Thursday. The Reds were among a number of clubs who requested that the English top flight and respective broadcasters brought their announcement forward, in a bid to allow fans ample time to plan for matches.
And now, it seems as though their calls have been listened to. The Premier League are set to announce their scheduling for late December on Thursday, more over a month sooner than last year's confirmation.
While all matches are originally slated to take place at 3pm on a Saturday, the Premier League and broadcasters reserve the right to amend them after deciding which games should be available to watch on television. As per the Mail, officials from the Reds met with senior executives from the League, pleading for earlier decisions to allow fans to book travel and accommodation well in advance.
The Football Supporters Association is also reported to have been present at talks. Sources have also told the publication that an announcement regarding fixtures is expected to land on Thursday.
It comes as there was major backlash from Newcastle United fans in particular last year, when it was announced that they would be the only travelling team for an 8pm clash on Boxing Day, while the majority of the Premier League saw fixtures across December 27 and December 28.
For context, that landed as a 292-mile round trip for Magpies fans, who were fuming at the decision from officials - the longest away trip of the Gameweek. The Premier League, meanwhile, justified their decision by citing how a European expansion was their reasoning behind the move.
They said in a statement at the time: "The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season, impacting an important tradition in English football.
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"There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions - which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.
"This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition - fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.
"With fewer weekends to work with, the League is bound by how the calendar falls. The League can give an assurance that next season there will be more Premier League matches on Boxing Day - as the date falls on a Saturday.
"As with previous years - and in keeping with our commitment to clubs - special arrangements have been made to allow more time between games played across the festive period. This will allow greater time for players to recover, with the rest periods between rounds 18, 19 and 20 being increased to ensure that no club plays within 60 hours of another match."
Responding to that statement, the Football Supporters Association wrote: "The Premier League's TV selections for Xmas and NY have finally been announced a fortnight after they were supposed to be.
"Newcastle United's game at Old Trafford - the longest trip of that Gameweek - has been selected for a ridiculous 8pm kick-off on Boxing Day. Thoughtless."