'Very unfair' - Erik ten Hag blasts Premier League over Manchester United kick-off times and praises fans

Erik ten Hag has called on the Premier League to rethink its fixture schedule after hitting out at the way his club and Manchester United supporters have been treated recently.

United have played Brighton and Southampton away at 12.30pm so far this season and they ended last season with trips to face Brentford at 8pm on a Saturday, Crystal Palace at 8pm on a Bank Holiday Monday and Chelsea at 8pm on a Thursday.

The desire of broadcasters to have United filling a television slot most weekends can lead to games being moved but over the last six months the supporters have been handed a poor deal, while Ten Hag was also unhappy at the decision to put the trip to St Mary's in the Saturday lunchtime slot after an international break.

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"First of all, for the fans it is very unfair to deal with this, with 8pm away games on a Saturday night, the 12.30pm, it’s not right, but they are always there," Ten Hag said of United's supporters.

"I’m so proud of our fans that they are always there, whatever happens on the pitch they're always supportive of the team and there is a really good connection. They bring a very good ambience at Old Trafford and also at away games.

"I think the Premier League should pay some attention to this."

Ten Hag saw his side overcome a reduced week of training after many of them had been away on international duty to beat Southampton 3-0. After securing the win he criticised the schedule and said some of United's recent trips had put his team at a disadvantage.

"It’s not an advantage to have so many players on international duty and we have to play a