Manchester United have reportedly lodged a complaint with the Premier League and Sky Sports over the scheduling of multiple 8pm kick-offs in April. The club, which is not involved in any European or domestic cup competitions this season, has seen 14 of its 34 league games scheduled for 8pm so far, with three more in April alone.
According to The Sun, club officials are 'fuming' over the decision, which they believe disproportionately affects their supporters. The upcoming trip to Chelsea on April 18 is a particular concern, as it falls on a Saturday evening. United acknowledge they are an 'attractive option' for broadcasters but have still raised the issue with both the league and Sky.
The scheduling is influenced by United's early exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, as well as their absence from European competition. This leaves them with fewer constraints for broadcasters, unlike nine other Premier League sides still competing in continental tournaments. The club also faces a 24-day gap between matches in March and April due to the international break and FA Cup quarter-finals, which they are not part of.
Interim manager Michael Carrick suffered his first defeat since taking charge on Wednesday, a 2-1 loss to Newcastle. Despite this, United remain third in the table with nine games left, benefiting from a lighter fixture schedule compared to their top-four rivals.
