The Premier League has announced a significant reshuffle of its upcoming fixture list, delivering a major victory for Manchester United and their supporters.
Club Action Leads to Fixture Reshuffle
The changes come after Manchester United formally wrote to the Premier League to express their dissatisfaction with the original December schedule. The club was left deeply unhappy after discovering that Ruben Amorim's side would not play a single Saturday game between now and Christmas. Of their next eight matches, only two were scheduled for the weekend, and both of those were away fixtures.
This meant that by the time of the Manchester derby on January 17, it would have been nearly three months since United last played a Saturday fixture at their home ground, Old Trafford. In response to the concerns of match-going supporters, United chief executive Omar Berrada spoke directly to Premier League chief Richard Masters to outline the issues before the club sent an official letter.
Key Fixture Changes and Broadcast Details
The league's response has seen 19 matches rearranged for the period between mid-January and the start of February. The headline change is the Manchester derby itself. United will host rivals Manchester City at 12:30pm on Saturday, January 17, as the Red Devils seek revenge for the 3-0 thrashing in the reverse fixture.
In a shift from the usual broadcasting arrangement, Sky Sports will televise the derby, despite the 12:30pm slot typically belonging to TNT Sports. Instead, TNT will broadcast Arsenal's trip to Nottingham Forest at 5:30pm on the same day.
The fixture adjustments continue throughout the rest of the month. Other notable changes include:
- Sunday, January 18: Sky Sports will show Wolves vs Newcastle (2pm) and Everton vs Aston Villa (4:30pm).
- Monday, January 19: An all-south coast clash between Brighton and Bournemouth airs live on Sky at 8pm.
- Sunday, January 25: Manchester United's trip to Arsenal will be shown on Sky Sports at 4:30pm.
A Welcome Outcome for Supporters
This intervention and the subsequent fixture changes represent a significant win for fan power. The original schedule was met with a wave of complaints from United's loyal match-going support, who found the lack of Saturday games particularly disruptive.
The Premier League's willingness to adapt the schedule following the club's official complaint demonstrates the importance of dialogue between clubs, their fans, and the league authorities. For Manchester United fans, the revised December schedule and the return of Saturday fixtures will be a welcome early Christmas present, making it easier for them to follow their team during the busy festive period.
