Manchester United have avoided Premier League Christmas Eve fixture nightmare but there are no winners in TV decision

There was a time when primetime viewing consisted of The Generation Game, Noel's House Party or the X-Factor. For Manchester United fans, it is increasingly becoming Premier League football.

The Reds have already been in the Saturday night 8pm televised slot and will fill it once again in early December when they visit Newcastle United. Come Boxing Day, United will once again be the headline evening act.

The TV fixtures the festive period were announced on Thursday lunchtime. United will be shown live in four successive match days in two weeks over Christmas across four different kick off times.

ALSO READ: Premier League announce United's schedule for Christmas period

From Sunday afternoons to Saturday lunchtime, to festive 8pm slots and Saturday evenings. It's a minefield for supporters and it's only going to become more commonplace.

The next TV deal will see an increase in live matches while an expanded Champions League will involve more games and more television time. It means more uncertainty for fans, difficulty in forward planning, taking late night trips through motorway closures or seeking a train home that doesn't exist.

Some would argue it's par for the course given the riches that clubs make from broadcasters but that misses the point. It's the fans that suffer. United are backed week in, week out by huge crowds and on the road the Reds supporters are some of the best, selling out away ends and generating a huge noise and atmosphere.

That dedication is taken for granted and has been for a number of years. Cost of living is rising, travel is more expensive and the match-going supporter is being overlooked for the casual sofa fan. And it could been far worse.

At least United's Boxing Day 8pm game is a