Avanti West Coast issue statement over FA Cup final amid concerns from Manchester football fans

Avanti West Coast has issued a statement over travel arrangements for the FA Cup final - as thousands of football fans from Manchester are set to descend on the capital.

Manchester United will take on derby rivals Manchester City for the clash at Wembley in June, after United's nail-biting penalty-shootout defeat against Brighton on Sunday.

The final takes place at the London stadium at 3pm on June 3, with scores of fans due to make the journey from Manchester by train.

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But following United's win, confirming the all-Manchester final, fans took to social media to express concerns over the prospect of travelling with Avanti West Coast.

It comes after months of disruption which has seen the viability of the train operator's contract with Manchester under fire.

Passengers were left gobsmacked last month after the firm had its contract extended for a further six months - as the Department for Transport said performance had been 'steadily improving.'

The newly-appointed manager director of Avanti, who took to the post at the end of March, promised the train operator had 'turned a corner' following months of delays and cancellations.

Avanti West Coast told the M.E.N they had already been in touch with both football clubs and plan to be able to update all customers, including fans travelling to the final, in 'due course.'

Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, wrote on Twitter on Sunday: "God that was nerve wracking. Here's to an all Manchester final." She followed it up with a tweet saying: "All that stands in the way now is Avanti trains. What could possibly go wrong."

Stanley Chow wrote: "It's gonna be fun getting to the final from