Manchester United fixture change confirmed as Premier League TV decision explained
Manchester United and Ipswich Town supporters travelling to Old Trafford next month have been thrown a slight spanner in the works after the kick-off time for that impending match was changed a little over five weeks before they lock horns in the Premier League - due to TV scheduling.
United and Ipswich had been set to meet at 8pm on Wednesday, February 26, while there had not been any noise to suggest that this was likely to change. However, the Premier League has now announced that the match will be played at the earlier time of 7.30pm.
That move is to accommodate TNT Sports who, similarly to this midweek just gone, will be broadcasting all of the Premier League games that midweek in late-February. The earlier kick-off time is a ploy to spread the TV coverage on that night - in order to keep viewers engaged on their channels for a longer period.
Five other matches will be played that same night, four of which shall start at 7.30pm, while the other, Liverpool vs Newcastle, shall begin at 8.15pm. While kicking off half-an-hour earlier does not seem like a big deal, it could impact home supporters travelling long distances, as well as visiting fans heading from Suffolk.
It takes approximately four hours to travel to Old Trafford from Ipswich, while the earlier kick-off increases the chances of supporters being caught in rush hour traffic when they arrive in the North West. Meanwhile, the FA have also announced that the tie with Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round shall kick-off at 8pm on Friday, February 7.
That match will be available to view on ITV1 and ITVX. The clash with the Tractor Boys shall see United welcome their former assistant Kieran McKenna back to Manchester, while Leicester heading to Old Trafford