Manchester United supporters urge government to step in after rail strike confirmed on FA Cup final day

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has urged the government to intervene in the rail dispute that threatens to stop thousands of United and Manchester City supporters travelling to Wembley for the FA Cup final on June 3.

Both clubs advanced to the final of the competition last weekend, beating Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United respectively, to set up the first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final.

Thousands of supporters of both clubs are expected to make the journey to the capital by rail, but Avanti West Coast, who operate services between Manchester and London, is one of 16 companies affected by the industrial action. Up to 13,000 train drivers will strike over three days in May and June, bringing widespread disruption to the railway network.

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It is believed that both City and United are keeping tabs on the situation and will liaise with both the FA and fans' groups. Many supporters could be forced to abandon their plans and travel to London by road unless a compromise can be reached.

MUST has since issued a statement, calling for the government to get involved.

The statement read: "A train strike on Cup Final day will be a huge inconvenience to the tens of thousands of supporters travelling down from Manchester to London on the day. We need all modes of transport available to cope with the level of demand and the railways are a key part of that.

"We call on the Government and the trade union to get round the table and find a way to avert this industrial action."

The kick-off time of the showpiece event has already been brought forward to 3pm from 5:30pm after the Metropolitan Police raised concerns over safety.

The latest disruption on the railway network