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Fans furious over 'antisocial' kick-off time
Manchester United fans hold up flags before the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United fans have been left frustrated after their trip to Crystal Palace was rescheduled for an unusual 19:00 GMT kick-off on Sunday, December 13.

The fixture is among the latest Premier League fixtures announced for December, with the match selected by TNT Sports.

But the decision has sparked criticism from the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), which says match-going fans have once again been left to deal with the consequences of fixture scheduling.

A 7pm Sunday kick-off could leave travelling supporters facing a late journey home or the added expense of an overnight stay, with potential disruption to work, school and family commitments.

In a statement, MUST said: "Once again, match-going supporters come last."

The supporters' group acknowledged that Crystal Palace's European commitments explain why the fixture has been moved to Sunday, but questioned why an earlier kick-off could not have been arranged.

It also pointed to previous assurances from the Premier League that the late Sunday slot would not become an established fixture in the calendar.

MUST said: "Supporters have repeatedly challenged this antisocial slot, and the Premier League previously assured us it did not want this slot to become established."

The group called on the Premier League, clubs and broadcasters to introduce meaningful safeguards to ensure supporters are given greater consideration when fixture dates and kick-off times are decided.

"The fans who create the atmosphere broadcasters value deserve better," the statement added.

United's trip to Selhurst Park is not the only Palace home fixture to receive an unusual Sunday evening slot, with their clash against Arsenal also scheduled for a 7pm kick-off.

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