General Premier League Thread 2024-25

8-10

Not gonna lie, that's hugely ambitious from United and their match day revenue will be insane when it's finished. And I don't hate the design either. This could set them up for decades

Mitch Connor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253301#Comment_123253301

Summer 2022 - here are massive financial losses for the Club
Summer 2023 - here are massive financial losses for the Club
Summer 2024 - here are massive financial losses for the Club
Monday - the club has been spending more than it has earned for 7 years. We have to cut costs.
Monday - I have had to invest 300m and we have been taking on debt every year to cover the losses.
Monday - we expect to return to massive profitability in 3 years.
Monday - The stadium project is financeable and we will look for no government funding.
Tuesday - here is the stadium we want to build and complete within 5 to 7 years.

HoW Is tHIs PossIBLe!?

Lauras Law

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253301#Comment_123253301

Critical thinking isn’t really your thing, is it?

Mod Edit: Warning issued for uncivil posting

doc_17

That new stadium is a microcosm of the world now….billionaires who have sucked the life out the clubs now turning to The State looking for a handout to build it. It should make any right thinking person sick.

jacool

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253301#Comment_123253301

Introducing New Exciting Ostentatious Stadium

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123251571#Comment_123251571

You really think this is the smoking gun?? Really?

I will humour you though…firstly its not as if Madrid suffered in this time and needed those players so I would say thats a huge part. Who is Aguero getting in ahead of with Ronaldo and Benzema there? Aguero ex Atletico Madrid on a long contract doesnt strike me as the sort of player they needed or wanted so its hardly the shock you are making it out to be. Why would they spend 100m or so on a second choice striker? And for the record there were loads of links plenty of times throughout his career in the tabloids. Google is your friend here.

Same logic applies to KDB, Madrid had an abundance of players that KDB wasnt essential kroos modric bale hazard etc etc. Again there were tabloid links of KDB to Madrid albeit much less than Aguero but they existed.

David Silva was linked every year with a move back to Spain but again would he have got into the Barca team? Would they have spent all the required money(as city would have wanted, rightly, a huge transfer fee)on a squad player. Spain struggled enough accommodating Silva with most the Barcelona team so adding in Messi it wouldn’t have worked, in reality they didnt need him and neither did Real.

If a big club wanted a city player they could have got them if they paid the fee, Sane to Bayern a great example of that. It wasnt impossible like you suggest(multiple times over the years in fact you have suggested this). Outside of Barca/Real/Bayern who else could attract and afford a city player? And as a player you get the chance to challenge(and likely win) lots of silverware, you get to train at some of best facilities in the world, you get coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time, you get to play with a squad of world class players and you get a top salary. Maybe that was enough for players? Is that too hard to grasp or are you insisting that they want all that and then a shitload of cash on the side via unofficial routes?

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253665#Comment_123253665

That's not what's happening though, is it?

Utd will build the stadium
The UK government will take care of THEIR regeneration programme

Like they do everywhere else in the country.
Or would you expect Manchester United football Club to also regenerate public amenities in the area as well?

NITRO95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253810#Comment_123253810

Can't let facts get in the way of taking pot shots

LuckyLloyd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253724#Comment_123253724

Your position, therefore, appears to be that City found a perfect zone of the best players in the world that Madrid / Barca would not want. Quite an incredible amount of foresight. Rodri was CL player of the season at 26 and European Championship player of the tournament a year later, ahead of his Ballon d'Or. Rodri even had to quash speculation about Real's interest. Of course, City held him; there was no hassle.

The idea that it's just because clubs wouldn't pay the fees involved isn't how this stuff works, either. If the club wants a player and wants to leave, then the fee gets sorted.

Years and years of a club in Manchester managing never to suffer a transfer saga. It's all normal; there's nothing to see here.

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253451#Comment_123253451

Not a Utd fan so no clue on how hard it is to get tickets for their matches; would they be able to fill an extra 26,000 seats each week?

They are limited on how they can spend for the next while so it is hard to see them finishing in the top 8 next season, with 5 places in the CL this year there will be another team with the chance to get a deeper squad. There could be 2 or 3 teams getting an unexpected CL place; Forest & Newcastle, etc.

Obviously Utd or Spurs could get a CL place via the Europa League as I don't think there is much quality in it with the new format, i.e. 3rd place from the group stages of the CL moving into that competition.

8-10

I'd imagine they'll have no issue filling extra seats for league games. It's not like City, they have a MASSIVE fanbase, biggest in the country.

Be great to see some downward pressure on ticket prices too

IrishOwl...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254487#Comment_123254487

I don't think UTD, of all teams will have any issues selling out the new stadium week in week out TBH.

ArmaniJeanss

An extra 26K fans at each MUFC home game paying average £30 VAT each on their match ticket and ancillary purchases is about £800K per game to the treasury. Working on the basis of ~25 home games a year, that's £20M a year revenue.

So depending on what you consider acceptable percentage return on investment, a government investment on regeneration/infrastructure of anywhere from £200M to £400M seems a reasonably solid outlay. Is that the ball-park figure that's being talked about?

That's even before the moral case that it seems the sort of regeneration scheme that government should be getting involved.

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254581#Comment_123254581

Genuinely I have no clue. I am a Liverpool fan & for years the only way to get a ticket is via hospitality/websites that resell but costs are mad vis-a-vis the actual price.

As Utd have had a few tough seasons I was not sure if it is similar with them re getting tickets

Mitch Connor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254583#Comment_123254583

Well the prospectus says it would bring in 7.8billon annually (to the UK - and that figure could be rubbish). I guess through tourism (flights, hotels, entertainment, food etc) which OT would also do some towards - plus the extra jobs that will be created in the new offices, restaurants, cafes, bars etc. Additionally you would have appartements and houses built within the regeneration.

As for what money the governemt is being asked to invest - I have zero idea to be honest. Never heard a figure mentioned for it. I would guess Unitedwill be putting pressure ont he government to make some decisions and put some plans in action now. I think we are still a decent way off the project really getting started - things like the freight line needs to be sorted (United need to buy the land, the freight opperator needs to agree a deal elsewhere (seemingly st. helens) but I think the Government needs to help with that and the public trainstation.

8-10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254659#Comment_123254659

There's been a ballot the last couple of seasons that's made it easier, plus the Europa League games were handy for tickets as well as Accrington Stanley

doc_17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253810#Comment_123253810

oh? I thought Radcliffe had been trying to secure government funding for this? Has this changed? Are Utd going to pay for it themselves now?

Infoseeker1975

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123254832#Comment_123254832

I entered the ballot twice a year for n years but never had any luck. Did get over for a FA Cup game but it was via hospitality, much cheaper than a league match obviously but still not cheap in terms of the actual ticket price

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253974#Comment_123253974

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123253974#Comment_123253974

my position is closer to reality than yours.

You have moved from kdb/aguero as you have no counter to that to now Rodri. Rodri was linked to Real in the summer, whos the say he wont end up there? He had such a low profile before he joined city and he turned into the best in the world, maybe he likes it there? Maybe he has some loyalty for the club giving him the opportunity? Maybe he loves pep? Maybe he loves the premier league? Who knows.

You are saying the only reason these players play for city is because they are all only motivated by money and are being paid vast sums under the table and there cant be any other possible reason. I think thats nonsense. You have had an anti city agenda for years likely because they deprived your own club of lots of trophies, i get it. And you know what some of the points you have made over the years have been valid even if i dont like them, but this one isnt, in fact its pathetic and you repeat it again and again and worst of all some people believe because they read it from you so often.

fplfan12345

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123255331#Comment_123255331

Ah here. The premier league have never been able to prevent their players leaving for Europe and Spain especially.

Even Ferguson couldn’t stop his players leaving.

Would you stop.

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123255415#Comment_123255415

So just Ronaldo then for Ferguson? One example from a time when La Liga was deemed the best league in the world and the premier league wasnt as strong as it was now? Would you stop. Pep couldnt get Leroy Sane to stay, there you go one example versus your one example. For Gerard Pique see Eric Garcia or Brahaim Diaz. Its a nonsense topic full of bitterness from the OP.

IRL086

Hello all, I'd love this Cadbury Old Trafford tour prize to find a good home, sadly we cannot make it. Please DM me if you would like it. Please note, prize cannot be changed from March 23,2025

Tickets are now gone thanks

IRL086

Tickets gone, thanks

Hello all, I'd love this Cadbury Old Trafford tour prize to find a good home, sadly we cannot make it. Please DM me if you would like it. Please note, prize cannot be changed from March 23,2025

fplfan12345

They have history for doing it and that’s why 2 + 2 = 4.

Mancini was on the books for £1.45 million and was being paid an additional £1.75 million through the back door.

So it’s not like we are talking about a little cherry on top. He was earning more than double what he was declared to be earning.

Do people really think the Mancini example was a one off or do we think Man City just got better at hiding it ?

The single worst thing about sport is tribalism and Man City fans are unfortunately the victims here as they will defend the indefensible because of it.

So are you suggesting we should believe one of the best strikers in the world, in Aguero, was earning less than a GK in the same league ? Hilarious.

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123256656#Comment_123256656

Anelka
Petite
Overmars
McManaman
Beckham
Owen
Thierry Henry
Van Nistelrooy
Ronaldo
Xavi Alonso
Mascherano
Luis Suarez
Coutinho
Cesc Fabergas
Bale
Modric
Hazard

All massive names who left the PL for Barca or Real over the last 20/25 years. A nice mix of clubs there in Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs. All players those clubs would have liked to keep / wanted to keep / were big parts of their 1st teams.

Crucially, No City player leaving at their peak. No star name.

Only a 33 year old Aguero moved to Barca from City and that was at the end of his contract when City no longer wished to keep him.

It's a little strange, do you not think? City have had top level players for ~15/16 years now and they have never had a top level talent poached for Barca or Real when Barca and Real were clearly the best clubs on the planet during that period?

Real / Barca could poach from all the other top PL sides but for City they just decided they didn't fancy their players?

Maybe there is nothing in it. But this is the issue when a club has state funding and that state has shown previously that they will do things under the table.

People are right to be suspicious.

FourFourRED

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123256729#Comment_123256729

Man United paying outrageous wages to some of their best players (goalkeeper who won POTY 4 out of 5 years btw) during a period of mismanagement under Ed Woodward probably shouldn’t be the standard by which others are measured.

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123256763#Comment_123256763

That's not how football agents work.
They would point to that as the going rate for a star player at a top 6 PL level club.

Aguero would have to have had the worst football agent in the world to accept 150k less per week when a goalkeeper across town was on 350k

Plenty of teams in world football would have paid Aguero more than 300k per week

BenK

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123256742#Comment_123256742

The only one on that list I'd argue would've liked to stay was Beckham but wasn't it the case that Fergie wanted rid of him and all the attention/drama that went with him at the time?

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123257125#Comment_123257125

Yeah, there was friction between the two alright.
But without Real / Barca as a destination and/or Real being able to turn Beck's head, he might have stayed on.
They may have had to work through their differences.

The point was that Real came in for the player, a high-profile star player and once that happened, Utd lost the player.
The pull of Real / Barca was there.

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123256742#Comment_123256742

You have just listed a load of players who left the prem for Barca/Real and in nearly all cases they left to play for better teams. Half the teams and clubs the players left were going nowhere so of course they were going to leave(Bale, Modric, Suarez, Coutinho, Alonso).

"Crucially, No City player leaving at their peak. No star name." Not true Leroy Sane did. He was brilliant at City but wanted to go back to Germany so left. You could prob add Jerome Boateng/Ferran Torres in here too in the sense that they wanted to leave and go back to a "big" club and were left to it(even if they werent world beaters).

The only players that really fall into the bracket of ones you would have thought were Barca or Real standard are KDB, Silva and Aguero. I have already explained reasonable logic as to why they wouldnt have left, what other players fall into this bracket?

"Maybe there is nothing in it." is the correct answer here. Lloyd thinks this is the single biggest sign of cheating. It is not. He claims city players never get linked with these clubs, again not true happened all the time. He thinks the only reason any player plays for city is because they get paid under the table more than is reported. Every single top players only reason for playing for city is because of this. Its not unreasonable to think that these players didnt leave because they were already playing for one of the best teams in the world competing for every trophy season after season under one of the best coaches of all time in the best league in the world?

Anyway I have made my point so am stepping out.

noodler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123255331#Comment_123255331

You are consistent in your defence of City, I'll give you that.

Nothing to see here, you are all paranoid etc.

8-10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123257501#Comment_123257501

Eric Garcia and Brahim Diaz were Barcelona and Real Madrid standard, so any player equal or better than them for City would be the same.

And neither of those were near among City's best 5 players. Even a washed up Gundogan was Barcelona standard.

FreshG

A lot of head in the sand stuff there

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123257501#Comment_123257501

What about Bernardo Silva being linked with moves to the contingent every other summer for years, and signing a new contract every time it happened?

He even publicly talked about leaving a few times . There was links to PSG and Barcelona and Saudi Arabia yet mysteriously signed a new contract extension that summer. Wasn't there talk of a Barca release clause too, but then they couldn't afford it so the move broke down?

I'd assume all those contract extensions have been on increased terms too. They might not have been increased terms on Man City books though. Maybe he coincidentally got a new advertising contract with some random Dubai shell company at the same time. Maybe his father got a handy remote working consultancy gig at the same time, by coincidence? Maybe he just loves rainy Manchester and so signed those new deals. Maybe he loves rainy Manchester so much that he is again rumoured to be leaving the club this summer.

8-10

My favourite is when they start talking about the amazing business of getting Haaland for €60m

Avatar in the Post

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260016#Comment_123260016

UNBELIEVABLE value… literally

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123257803#Comment_123257803

Barcelona at peak Barcelona when they were attractive and had lots of money. Come on you are being facetious now. My point which you clearly know is that the big players that didnt move(silvas, Agueros etc) where at a time when both Madrid and Barcelona had superior players in their positions. Its simple and you know this.

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260016#Comment_123260016

Who and what are you actually debating here?

Did Dortmund receive 60m for Haaland? Yes unquestionably.
Did Man City have to pay substantially more than this to his agent(s), as a signing on fee directly to Haaland and topped up in salary? Yes unquestionably.

Does this happen with every single transfer that is either free or the players release clause is less than his market value? Yes unquestionably.

Whats the problem? Who are these people saying otherwise?

Countless examples of this happening with lots of other players and it doesnt raise an eyebrow but this particular one seems to trigger people. For the record even if it had of been a world record transfer fee and record salaries it would still be considered a succesful transfer.

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123257728#Comment_123257728

I only dip in and out, its relentless in here and I only like to defend the really stupid comments. It would be a full time job otherwise. And people wonder why there are no City fans on boards? This is exactly why. Oh and of course because we have no fans in Ireland.

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123258809#Comment_123258809

Well lloyd reckons City players dont get linked with transfers away and thats his smoking gun yet you have proved otherwise with the case of Bernardo Silva so thanks for backing up my point. Transfer Saga every year with him the last few years.

Your point is different but I will answer it anyway. No he hasnt signed a contract every time it happened. He signed for us in 2017 and then in 2019 extended his deal(before he was linked with moves away). Around the time of the pandemic he got a new gf(eventually his wife) who didnt like manchester and wanted to move away hence the links after this time. He was a crucial player for city so they put a big price tag on him which no one would pay and he didnt kick up enough of a fuss(probably because city were one of, if not the best team in the world during this period so why would he?). Start of last season(23/24) he signed a new contract with a low release clause(50m) that kicked in last summer(24) to give him his freedom of choice with his next club. I expected him to go last summer(24) to be honest but he didnt, probably because the two clubs he was linked with Barca(they didnt have the money and/or prioritised Olmo plus having seen what happened gundogan maybe he didnt fancy it? Who knows) and PSG(they changed strategy last summer on young hungry players so he wouldnt fit in). Its not really that much of a head scratcher. People are failing to realise that city in the last few years dont need to pay additional under the table, they already pay top wages that are declared and they are an extremely attractive team to play for esp with Pep in charge. Players want to play for them, its not just money that attracts them. It was at the start absolutely but they really dont need to do it anymore esp considering where most of their signings come from(usually tier 2 clubs and mostly all potential with exception of maybe Haaland).

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123257501#Comment_123257501

I listed a nice collection of players across multiple PL clubs who have seen players poached by Real/ Barca.
It is spread out over around 25 years. It shows a consistent history of players wanting to move to Real / Barca.
It shows evidence of the pull those clubs have had traditionally over PL clubs.

They left for better teams sure, but in case it needs to be made clear here; Real Madrid and Barcelona have been better than Man City for most of that time as well save the odd season.

City have been domintant domistically but completly lacking in europe for all that success. Real Madrid have won the CL 4 times in the time Pep has been at City to City's 1 win. Don't try and spin this that City are at the level of Real Madrid, they are not!

And they certinatly were not between the years of 2008 and 2016 before Pep.

Let's call a spade a spade here, for a lot of players Real Madrid and Barca represent the ulitmate goal in club football.
That is unless of course you happen to play for Man City…

There is also the slight issue of Man City getting caught out for paying Mancini off the books

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/08/manchester-city-roberto-mancini-abu-dhabi-money-second-contract-sheikh-mansour

If you want to say this is the only time City have done this, fair enough. Until there is further evidance of players being paid in the same way I suppose there's no way to convice you of the possibility.

However, you can't then be surpised when people outside the club don't think it is very likely this was the only time they have done it.. because it is incredibly unlikely.

It's not rival fans you need to be annoyed at, it's the owers of your football club. Their shady dealing have brought you all the success but due to the way they have brought you that success nobody outside the club is ever going to respect it.

Nobody respects Lance Armstrong for winning 7 tour de Frances either

~Rebel~

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260591#Comment_123260591

(probably also worth adding that Pep's brother just so happened to be brought into the City Group's Girona purchase, leaving him with a tasty 16% of the club - which all just so happened to take place in and around the time of Pep signing for City)

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260591#Comment_123260591

I really thought this would be the last I would post on this but I cant help myself here….

"And they certinatly were not between the years of 2008 and 2016 before Pep" Which players during this period would have got into the Barcelona or Real Madrid team that city had? Silva and Aguero were citys two best players, neither were required by either team in this period. Our other best player was Yaya who Barca sold to us, what do you want me to say here? City players were harder to "poach" here for Barca/Real because we didnt have any they needed and if they were semi interested it would have taken a big fee to sign them? Why is it so hard to understand?

"for a lot of players Real Madrid and Barca represent the ulitmate goal in club football….That is unless of course you happen to play for Man City" I dont doubt the former, who has said otherwise? You are essentially saying that players only play for Man City because they pay them a tonne of cash? Thats the only reason? Who are these players turning Barca and Real down?

"There is also the slight issue of Man City getting caught out for paying Mancini off the books"…hasnt been proved to date and is on the basis of an allegation of a convicted criminal. Funnily that article claims he was being paid twice in 2009 before FFP was even brought in(approved in 2010 and implemented in 11-12 season). Incredible foresight from City to see into the future and see legislation coming in so avoiding loopholes that didnt even exist at the time….

I dont really give a **** about respect, I(and English football) have seen the best football it has ever seen breaking record after record, for a purist who loves football and watching 11 v 11 on a saturday thats good enough for me. Annoyed at the owners? No chance. Look up Franny Lee or Peter Swales if you want to see owners I would be annoyed at.

Anyway lets leave it at that and agree to disagree here.

8-10

Just FYI although FFP was only approved in 2010, it had been formally announced at their summit in 2009, it was one of the key items Platini said they were planning on introducing

So it wouldn't have been known the exact impact or extent of the rules in 2009, but it certainly would have been known that they were on the way at that point

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260994#Comment_123260994

You do give a **** about respect. That's why you are replying, because nobody outside of Man City fans rates anything they have done over the last 15 years. It irks City fans.

When this era is over and if the UAE walk away (and they will if it no longer fulfils their interests btw) nobody is going to look back at this City side and talk about them being an incrediblly built side like the PL's other greats sides.

They'll talk about the legacy of allowing state run clubs to exist, the negitive impact it had. The financial issues it created throughout the rest of football. The blockers it put down in front of other clubs to compete against.

OK to your other point re Real and Barca, so City play the best football that English football has ever seen (hard disagree) but the players who play that football don't peak the interest of the 2 boys in Spain? Is that it? It's a bit odd!!

Yeah we'll agree to disagree but I think a lot of City fans can't see the wood for the trees when looking at their club.

POKERKING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123261225#Comment_123261225

The first three paragraphs are just nonsense but whatever.

Because the period of Man Citys domestic dominance and brilliance(if i dont say so myself) has coincided with Barca being skint and Real Madrid dominating Europe with 4 Champions league whilst building a new stadium in a league that has fallen below the premier league in terms of appeal and overall revenue. You know this, you are a clever person and dont need me to point it out. And you know its not odd, just like its not odd that city havent gone after barca or real players with all this under the table cash they can offer (apparently).

And of course im not surprised you “hard disagree”, i mean its a debatable topic thats maybe worth a disagree but a hard disagree like its some sort of mental statement is funny. Youd probably want to close your eyes watching 90percent of football at all levels from kids grassroots right up to the premier league because there all trying to play that way.

We will leave there so but because you added a but in your last line i will too…but some fans bitterness about shortcomings at their own clubs shines through when it comes to City more than any other club and i find Irish United and Liverpool fans(esp barstoolers) to be the worst in this regard. Mind you I would probably feel bitter too so I get it to an extent.

doc_17

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123260426#Comment_123260426

people have been wondering where the city fans are in general….them being the highest revenue generating club in the world and who can’t sell their ground out.
I do however kinda agree that few of City’s players were really wanted by Real or Barca. Aguero and Rodri are former Athletico players? Maybe they aren’t going to Real or a Basque team?

But go back further, Nasri, Clichy, Toure, Adebayor all left a good Arsenal team to play for City. Why? $$$$
Liverpool hammered Madrid 4-0 a few months before Xabi left to go to them. Liverpool were going somewhere. They lost the league with almost record, if not close to one, points total for a runner up.
The Sane one to Bayern is interesting, what has he gone on to do? Germany didn’t take him to a WC, Pep saw his attitude and acted accordingly. Pep doesn’t try to keep people who really want to leave.

Jesper

I'm bringing my godchild to a Manchester United game in GW 36. When will the start time be confirmed. At the moment all games are for 3:00 Saturday the 10th.

It will have. A huge impact on the booking or csn I take a chance now and book late flights back Saturday?

mightyreds

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123262220#Comment_123262220

Won't be confirmed til around March 28th, wouldn't take a risk booking now it could go to Sunday if united get into the europa league semi final.

FourFourRED

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123262220#Comment_123262220

24 March - 28 March.

I booked flights for the Manchester Derby for €76 return and just made the assumption it would be on the Sunday. Same flights now are €400.

I would say wait for confirmation though. If you follow the PL account on Twitter and turn on notifications on your phone, you can get alerted to it when the dates are set and try get in ahead of others.

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123262220#Comment_123262220

No, not safe to book / assume that it'll be a Saturday game.

The Europa league Semi is on the 8th. If Utd are involved in that then they will play the Sunday.
Even if they get knocked out it'll be down to TV

https://www.premierleague.com/news/4039904

You are looking at the TV being announced around March 24th-28th
If Utd make it through tonight then you are looking at a Sunday game either way I'd say to be safe or maybe Monday night