Saturday, October 31

Portsmouth ticket information released


The ticket office have released ticket information for reds hoping to make the long journey south to Portsmouth on Saturday November 28.

United have got 2,434 tickets in the Apollo Stand (also known as the Milton End). They are priced at £34 for adults, £24 for over 65s and £14 for under 16s.

Executive members and season ticket holders can apply from 08:00 on Monday to 08:00 on Friday.

Those who apply will find out if they have them on November 11, or thereabouts.

The Apollo Stand is divided between a home and away section.

Tickets for the home section are currently on general sale via Portsmouth's official website at the same prices as above, though you have to register before buying. More information here.


A full travel and pub guide will appear here in the next few days.

United face Spurs cup test


The reds will play Tottenham at home in the Carling Cup quarter final after the draw was made at noon today.

United, the Carling Cup holders, will host Spurs on the week beginning November 30, but it will probably a Wednesday night game - on December 2.

The full draw is:

Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
Manchester United v Tottenham
Portsmouth v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Arsenal

Friday, October 30

United in the news



Roberto Martinez has telephoned Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce and Rafael Benitez to clarify remarks attributed to him suggesting that the Manchester United manager receives preferential treatment from the FA and uses two of his closest allies in football to gang up on his Liverpool counterpart.


Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his frustration about the scheduling of England's friendly matches and accused the Football Association of arranging games as money-making exercises when, to his mind, possibly even Fabio Capello does not want them.


Henrik Larsson fulfilled a dream to play for Manchester United in 2007, but he could have made the switch to Old Trafford eight years earlier if Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way.


Gordon Strachan needs to land a striker on loan after Jeremie Aliadiere was ruled out for six weeks following ankle surgery.
The new Middlesbrough boss wants to boost his depleted firepower in time for his first game at home to Plymouth tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 28

Wolfsburg ticket information out


The ticket office has released details of United's December 8 UEFA Champions League trip to VfL Wolfsburg.

The Volkswagen Arena has a capacity of 30,000. United have got 1,522 tickets priced at £26.50 for a standard ticket or £59 for a VIP seat - add £4.50 for special delivery onto that total.

Only members of the new Manchester United European Travel Club can apply for tickets. Details
here.

Executive members, season ticket holders and One United members can apply from 20:00 on November 6 until 20:00 on November 9.

Ballot results will be published on November 12.

For details of flights, accommodation and for information about the cities surrounding Wolfsburg, go here.

United through to last eight


The reds through to the quarter final of the Carling Cup after securing a comfortable 2-0 win against Barnsley at Oakwell.

Goals from Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen wrapped up a victory that was never in doubt. Gary Neville picked up a straight red card in the second half for a challenge on Adam Hammill.

The draw for the next round will take place live on Sky Sports 1 at just after noon on Saturday.


Also through are
Aston Villa
Blackburn
Portsmouth
Tottenham
Arsenal
Chelsea
Manchester City
The matches will take place on either Tuesday December 1 or Wednesday December 2.
If United are drawn away, we'll bring you ticket, travel and pub news when we have it.

Monday, October 26

Barnsley travel and pub guide


Barnsley
Carling Cup Third Round
Tuesday October 27 at 19:45
Oakwell, Barnsley


Tickets
Oakwell holds 23,009 and, for this Carling Cup tie, United have got about 5,800 tickets in the North Stand (pictured), which can hold 6,000 people.

Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for concessions. All tickets have now been sold. Home supporters are paying the same prices.

You can enter via turnstiles 42 to 51, which open at 18:15.


TV
Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2HD will screen the match live, with the show starting at 19:30.

You can also watch the match via a number of live internet video streams. Links will appear here two hours before the match.

BBC1 will screen a highlights show the day after the match at a time to be confirmed. The highlights will also be on the BBC iPlayer two days afterwards.

Weather
Thankfully, the rain will stay away. It'll be a clear night and about 8C during the game, which is pretty mild for this time of year.

Travel

Car - £10

If you use a route planner use the postcode S71 1ET for the stadium.

Petrol should cost about £5 each way.

There are two possible routes:

1. The shortest route is via the A628 (the Woodhead Pass), onto Wesley Street, Lambra Road in Barnsley town centre and then back onto the A628 before turning left onto Grove Street (see illustration below).

It takes 65 minutes and is 36 miles. But this road is often closed when weather gets bad and can be totally rammed close to Denton and Hyde at evening rush hour.



2. The most straightforward route is via the M62 and M1. Leave the M62 at Junction 29 and join the M1. Then leave the M1 at Junction 37 and follow the road signs to the ground – directly to the away fans' car park (see illustration below).

It takes 75 minutes and is 59 miles.



Parking
There's a 500-capacity away fans' car park behind the North Stand. We're not sure how much it costs but the Barnsley website said there is “a small charge”. You can pay on the night. Arrive early, though.

There is also plenty of free parking on street around Coniston Road, Elm Row and Oakwell View.

Train - £15
There and back, you have to change at Huddersfield, Sheffield (pictured below) or Leeds. The total journey time either way is about 1 hour 40 minutes.

If you buy an off peak return on the day, it will cost £15.

Manchester Piccadilly to Barnsley
Travel after 10:00 else the price jumps up.

From 10:20, there are four trains an hour to Barnsley.

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: xx:20
Arrive in Sheffield: 48 minutes later
Leave: 10 minutes later (58 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)
Arrive Barnsley: 22 minutes later (80 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: xx:27
Arrive Huddersfield: 29 minutes later
Leave: 12 minutes later (41 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)
Arrive Barnsley: 52 minutes later (93 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: xx:43
Arrive in Sheffield: 52 minutes later
Leave: 16 minutes later (68 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)
Arrive Barnsley: 20 minutes later (88 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: xx:57
Arrive in Leeds: 55 minutes later
Leave: 13 minutes later (68 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)
Arrive Barnsley: 34 minutes later (88 minutes after leaving Piccadilly)

The last services you can get to make kick off leaves Piccadilly at 17:43.

To get to the ground, cross over the A61 and follow the floodlights onto Belgrave Road.



Barnsley to Manchester
There are two trains available and only one of them is realistically catchable and the other one would be impossible to get should the match go to extra time, let alone penalties.

Leave Barnsley: 21:36
Arrive Leeds: 22:28
Leave: 22:40
Arrive Manchester Piccadilly: 23:37

Leave Barnsley: 22:08
Arrive Huddersfield: 23:00
Leave: 23:05
Arrive Manchester Victoria: 23:53

Coach
- £15

United are running coaches to this game, with places costing £20 per person.

They depart from the Old Trafford N2 car park at 16:30 and will arrive back at Old Trafford at 23:00, subject to extra time and penalties. Call 0161 868 8000 to book.

Red Army Travel is running three coach, with places costing £15 per person.

It departs from the Spread Eagle Pub in Royal Green Road Northernden (time to be announced) and at the Bishops Blaize pub in Chester Road at 16:00. To book, email prem@redarmytravel.com

The two Betty Bus coaches are now sold out. They leaves Chorlton Street Coach Station at 16:30.

Megabus does not serve Barnsley. National Express runs services between Manchester and Barnsley, but they all require lengthy stops in Sheffield, so the journey time is a whopping 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Pubs
The town centre is only a five-minute walk from the ground, so take your pick if you're going by two train.

If you're looking for a bargain tipple, call into either one of the JD Wetherspoons pubs. The first is a Lloyds No.1 bar called the The Joseph Bramah (pictured above), at 15 Market Hill.

It opened in 2006 and named after the 18th-century Barnsley locksmith who invented the hydraulic press.

The best feature about this pub is that there's a big beer garden, so it'll be a good meeting place for reds. You probably won't get it in with colours though.

Get there by turning left out of the train station and walking down Eldon Street. Then take the first left. It's open from 09:00 to 01:00.

The other JD Wetherspoons pub lies at the back of the Alhambra Shopping Centre. It's called the Silkstone Inn (pictured above), at 64 Market Street.

It opened just 13 months back and has its own mini library and lots of nice furnishing – this is a place to have a pre-match sit down rather than a sing song, but it's pretty decent all the same.

The nearest pub to the ground is probably the Manx Arms, at 32 Sheffield Road. It's a gay pub, rather than a football fans' paradise, but it still serves a good pint and is an easy five-minute walk to the ground.

Saturday, October 24

Liverpool (a)


Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
Anfield
Sunday, October 25
Kick off: 14:00


Top 5 match facts
- Liverpool have lost four games in a row, conceeding seven goals along the way. It's their worst run since 1987

- But before that, they won their previous six games, scoring 18 goals

- Since season 2004/5, we've had three 1-0 wins, one 0-0 draw and one 2-1 defeat. Not many goals have been scored when these two sides have met at Anfield of late.

- In eight years, Owen scored 118 goals in 216 Liverpool appearances

- A United win would put them 10 points clear of Liverpool

United: Rooney (calf) and Fletcher (groin) are both doubts. Park will be missing. Evra and Giggs are back

Possible team

Liverpool: Johnson (groin) and Gerrard (thigh) are both unlikely to feature, but Johnson will probably be risked. Aquilani (fitness), Dossena (groin), Riera (hamstring) and Kyrgiakokes (knee) all miss out. Torres is back.

Probable team

The referee will be Andre Marriner, who has been a Premier League ref since 2005 and first picked up the whistle in 1992.
His actual name is Andrew, but he took the 'w' off his name to make it sound more exotic.
He is currently on the list of international referees. He gives out an average of three yellow cards per game.

Odds with Ladbrokes
Liverpool: 9/5 or 2.80
Draw: 23/10 or 3.30
United: 6/4 or 2.50

Friday, October 23

Second Betty Bus coach full for Barnsley


The second Betty Bus coach going to Barnsley on Tuesday evening is now full, but fans still looking for a way to get to the game can book with Red Army Travel.

Due to popular demand, RAT has put on a third coach, which will from the Bishops Blaize on Chester Road at 4pm.

Places cost £15. To book call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999.


Eight spaces left for Liverpool coach


Red Army Travel has eight places left on the coach it is running to Sunday's game against Liverpool.

Places cost £16 per person. Call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999 for details.

Thursday, October 22

Liverpool travel and pub guide


Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
Anfield
Sunday, October 25, 14:00


Tickets

United have got 3,008 tickets in the Anfield Road End, costing £38 for adults, £28.50 for seniors and £19 for juniors.

All home and away end tickets have now been sold.

Away end touted tickets are going for about £200 each.

Weather
According to the BBC, it will be cloudy with sunny intervals during the game, with a temperature of 16C/61F


TV
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD, with the programme starting at 13:00 and ending at 16:00. Highlights of the game will be shown on BBC2's Match of the Day 2 show at 22:00.



Travel
Recommended: Get there and back by coach for £4.

Car - £10

If you're going by car and want free parking, type in the postcode L4 7UR on an internet routeplanner or in your satnav.

From Manchester, follow the M62 to the end and follow the directions to Utting Avenue, where you will find lots of street parking a five-minute walk from the ground.

To reach the ground, keep walking up, under the railway line and onto Arkles Lane and then right onto Anfield Road.

Parking around there will also give you an easy way out of Liverpool at full time, as you can turn onto the A5058, which leads directly onto the M62.

Train - £9.90
Trains are direct and take between 42 and 64 minutes.

It costs £9.90 for an off-peak return

There
Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street
08:53, 09:15, 10:15, 11:09, 12:09

Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street
09:50, 10:50, 11:38, 11:50, 12:38

From Lime Street, Anfield is a 15-minute walk or a five-minute taxi ride costing about £5. There's a taxi rank at the right-hand exit of the station.

Back
Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Victoria, Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road
15:57, 16:01, 16:22, 16:57, 17:01, 17:22, 17:26, 17:57, 18:01 and frequent intervals afterwards.

Coach - £12
United are running coaches to this game. Leaving the Old Trafford N2 car park at 11.30am and estimated to return by 17:15. Places cost £18. Call 0161 868 800 to book.

Red Army Travel is running a coach to the game with places costing £16 per person. Call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999 for details.

The Betty Bus is running from Chorlton Street Coach Station at 11.30 and from the Bishops Blaize pub in Chester Road at 11:45 with places costing £12 per person. email redsaway@hotmail.co.uk to book your place.

National Express is running coaches between Chorlton Street Coach Station and Norton Street in Liverpool city centre from £4 return.

Coaches leave at 09:45, 10:45, 11:45 and 12:15
Coaches return at 16:00, 17:00, 17:45, 18:30, 19:30, 21:15 and 22:15


Pubs
It probably goes without saying that you won't get in anywhere with colours. But if you're subtle, you can grab a pre-match pint at the following.

Coopers in Lime Street Station. Go up the stairs just to the side of Burger King. It's pricey but quiet.

Next to the station taxi rank is another quiet pub called MA Egertons on Pudsey Street.

Or across the road from the station on Great Charlotte Street, is a decent Wetherspoons pub called the Richard John Blackler.

And not too far away in St John's Square is Doctor Duncans, a pretty big pub with a decent range of beer on tap and a relaxed atmosphere.

Barnsley pre-match - South Yorkshire Police respond


In super quick time, South Yorkshire Police superintendent David Hartley has replied to our questions in a bid to give reds more help ahead of Tuesday's trip to Barnsley.

He says:

"The management of the Metrodome have opened the sports hall area, with bar, big screen, and the necessary staff to make accommodation of large numbers realistic.

"Not to say that working at capacity may not involve some queuing, but it has in the past, with our local derbies, proved very effective when full capacity away support is expected.


"With the ground bar and refreshment open before the game for those who wish to go straight in, and the Metrodome - this has proved capable of meeting demand for similar fixture.

" There is also Harbrough Hills Club nearby which provides a similar local refreshment to the ground as a contingency.

" In summary, using local facilities to the ground makes the police job of ensuring safety of loyal fans easier to manage, and the job of identifying and intervening with trouble makers clearer.

" There is no ring of steel, simply efforts to help put enjoyment first, by giving me the best chance of minimising risk to normal supporters of football."

Wednesday, October 21

A 'welcoming' message from Barnsley police


South Yorkshire Police has published advice for the 5,800 Manchester United supporters set to make the trip to Barnsley for the Carling Cup tie on Tuesday.

You can see the full document, written by Superintendent David Hartley
here but the edited highlights are as follows.


"Arrive in good time.
"Don’t try to enter the ground drunk – you will be
arrested.
"I ask you, don’t go to the town Centre.
"Make use of the ground and adjoining Metrodome Complex, which has a capacity of 750 to 1,000 and also has a big screen, bar facilities and food – all bespoke for away
supporters.
"Don’t become involved in aggressive or abusive behaviour.
"If you are caught innocently in a police tactic holding supporters, please bear in mind decisions are not taken lightly and any such action will be needed to either identify and control trouble causers or to allow us to filter normal supporters away.
"Sometimes this is the only way we can keep the honest and peaceful majority safe."

So, what does this tell us about what South Yorkshire Police are expecting on Tuesday?

Well, first, people familiar with the Metrodome Complex tell us the bar capacity is not 1,000 - it's more like 300.

Second, even with 300 people in, waiting time would be 30 minutes at worst - enough to put most people off.

Third, even if the capacity is 1,000 - where are the other 4,800 going to drink if not the town centre?

We have asked these questions, quite politely, in an email to South Yorkshire Police in the hope that they can provide some constructive feedback.

But while we're on the subject. Two more questions.

First, why exactly is Supt Hartley asking reds to stay out of town? Does he think they're in danger or pose a danger?

And second, recent evidence of United taking large crowds to lower-division clubs show there has been little to no anti-social behaviour. Southampton, Derby and (even going as far back as) Southend were all fine...so why the need for holding tactics?

If you have any thoughts on the matter, email us at redsaway@hotmail.co.uk

CSKA Moscow 0-1 United


The reds made it three Champions League wins out of three with a late Valencia goal at the Luzhniki Stadium.

On a better-than-expected plastic pitch, United held their own in tame first half before stepping up their efforts after the break.

Pressure on the CSKA goal mounted steadily throughout the second period and, with just four minutes on the clock, the £17m signing from Wigan struck home the winner after a flick on header from Berbatov.

In the other Group B game, Wolfsburg drew 0-0 with Besiktas, giving United, on nine points, a five-point cushion at the halfway stage.
Watch a post-match interview with Sir Alex Ferguson here.

Check for Chelsea tickets now


Anyone who applied for tickets to see United play at Chelsea on Sunday, November 8, should now check their booking history.

United said ballot results will be out on Friday, but it's worth checking today, as results tend to be published two days earlier than stated.

United have got 3,107 tickets in the upper and lower sections of the Shed End Corner. That is 107 tickets more than last season.

They cost £47 and £44 for adults and £19.50 for concessions.

Last year, they cost £48 and £45.

A full travel guide will be published here in the next few days.

Tuesday, October 20

CSKA Moscow (a)




CSKA Moscow
UEFA Champions League
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Wednesday October 21
Kick off 20:30 local time, 17:30 UK time


Top 5 match facts:
- United have never played CSKA Moscow.

- United have never beaten a Russian team. They've played five matches against Russian opposition, most recently losing to Zenit St. Petersburg in the Super Cup in August 2008.

Before that, there were two draws each in the UEFA Cup with SC Rotor Volgograd in September 1995 (2-2 home, 0-0 away) and with FC Torpedo Moscow in September 1992. Both games ended 0-0 and Moscow won 4-3 on penalties.

- CSKA have played English opposition seven times. They've won two, drawn two and lost two. The most recent was a UEFA Cup last 32 win against Aston Villa in February

- CSKA are managed by former Spurs boss Juande Ramos

- Vidic can expect a hostile reception if he plays. He spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with CSKA's arch-rivals FC Spartak Moscow and scored against CSKA in a 2-1 defeat.


United: Rooney (calf) is missing, as are Giggs and Evra who picked up knocks against Bolton.

Darren Fletcher is also not making the trip to Russia and neither is Park. Berbatov and Vidic are doubtful, but should start.

The remaining squad is:

GK: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster

DF: Neville, Rafael, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, J Evans, Fabio

MF: Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, C Evans, Anderson, Nani

AT: Owen, Berbatov, Macheda, Welbeck.

The probably starting line up will be:
CSKA Moscow from:
GK: Evgeni Pomazan, Igor Akinfeev, Artur Nigmatullin

DF: Šemberas, Ignashevich, Berezutski, Odiah, Berezutski, Schennikov, Grigoriev, Ćosić

MF: Carvalho, Dzagoev, Mamaev, González, Krasić, Aldonin, Piliev, Rahimić, Oliseh, Zameshaev, Kudryavtsev, Stolyarenko, Dragunov

AT: Maazou, Guilherme, Oseni, Necid, Zabolotni

The referee will be Claus Bo Larsen of Denmark, who works as a customs clearance manager. He was the ref who disallowed Paul Scholes's 'goal' in the Super Cup final with Zenit but, on a happier note, he was also in charge when United beat Arsenal in the semi final first leg last season.

Odds with Ladbrokes:
CSKA Moscow: 11/4
Draw: 23/10

United: 4/5

Monday, October 19

Betty Bus the second


Due to popular demand, the Betty Bus organisers are laying on a second coach taking fans to Barnsley on Tuesday October 27, kick off 19:45.

It leaves Chorlton Street Coach Station at 16:30. Places cost £15 per person.

To book, email redsaway@hotmail.co.uk with your name and contact details.

A full travel and pub guide to Barnsley can be found here.

Betty Bus full for Barnsley

The Betty Bus is full for the Carling Cup trip to Barnsley on Tuesday, October 27, kick off 19:45.

But Red Army Travel is running two coaches and still has places available, at £15 per person.

Both Red Army Travel coaches will call at the Spread Eagle Pub in Royal Green Road Northernden and the Bishops Blaize pub near Old Trafford, with pick up times still to be confirmed.


Book by calling 0161 998 4455 or 0754 539 1999 or email
prem@redarmytravel.com

Sunday, October 18

Don't forget...


United's match on Wednesday kicks off at 17:30, so if you tune in at 19:45 expecting to see the reds, you'll be in for a shock.

In the meantime, you can watch a preview of the match, and all the other games taking place in Round 3, on the Champions League Weekly show which is on ITV1 at 12:15 and repeated on ITV4 at 17:15.

Portsmouth tickets on sale now


Home-end tickets for United's trip to Portsmouth, on Saturday November 28 kick off 15:00 are on general sale now.

Tickets for the home section of the Apollo Stand (the Milton End, which also hosts the away end, are on sale for £34 for adults, £25 for students and over 65s and £14 for under 17s.

To buy them you must first register your details here.

Thanks to the chap with username 26051999 from the Red Issue forum for the tip off.

Information about away tickets will be published by United in the next fortnight and a full travel and pub guide will follow here.

Top 10 tips for those going to Moscow


By now you should have your flights booked, visa sorted and hotel in hand.

But for those of you flying out to Moscow in the next three days, there are a few more essentials you need to know to to make your trip safe and comfortable.

1. Print out
this tube map. It's in English and Cyrillic

2. The Metro doesn't have ticket machines, so you have to buy them from staff, who don't speak English and there are often queues.

So before using the Metro, work out roughly how many journeys you're going to do during the whole of your stay in Moscow.

You'll get a ticket with that number of journeys on it regardless of the day you use it. At the counter, say one of the following:

1 - Adeen
2 - Dva
3 - Tri
4 - Chiteri
5 - Pyat
6 - Syest
7 - Syem
8 - Vosyem
9 - Dyevit
10 -Dyesit

3. Dress for the weather. It'll be about 6c/43F on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so take a coat! According to the BBC, it will be sunny on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and will rain on Wednesday.

4. Don't count on drinking near the ground. There are no pubs there and selling alcohol near the ground is banned on match day. Stay in the centre.

5. Print out and follow the guide United have compile a fans' guide for this match here.

6. Always carry your Russian visa and all related documents. Also, ask your hotel for a card just in case the police need it.

7. Get more information from the Football Supporters' Federation guide here.

8. If you're using a taxi, always negotiate a price beforehand. Drivers who use meters tend to go the long way around. The last time United went to Moscow, there were tales of reds enduring two-hour journeys from the airport when it should have taken 30 minutes. Most drivers speak enough English to negotiate a price.

9. Print out this advice provided by the British Foreign Office for British nationals travelling in Russia.

10. Based on the last time United were in Moscow, there is a strong possibility CSKA Moscow fans may cause trouble with reds - though the area around the stadium will be heavily policed and safe.

Stay in well-populated, well-lit central areas and don't provoke anyone who confronts you.

CSKA Moscow watch


In their final game before facing United on Wednesday, CSKA Moscow notched up a 1-1 draw with Spartak Nalchik.

CSKA, the away team, took the lead after just two minutes when Serbian Milos Krasic.

Aleksandr Amisulashvili leveled midway through the first half.
ESPN match report
here.

Video highlights
here (press play and then let the grey bar load in full before viewing).

Overall, it was a poor result for title-chasing CSKA, as Nalchik are 14th of 16th in the Russian Premier League, just above the relegation zone.

CSKA are currently third - three points behind Spartak Moscow, who have a game in hand on both CSKA and league leaders Rubin Kazan, who are seven points clear of CSKA.

Thursday, October 15

One day left for Chelsea applications


There is just one day left for executive members and season ticket holders to apply for tickets to see United play at Chelsea on Sunday, November 8.

They can apply online or by calling 0161 868 8000 until 08:00 tomorrow.

They can find out on October 23 if they've got tickets, though it's worth checking on October 21, as results tend to be published two days earlier than stated.

United have got 3,107 tickets in the upper and lower sections of the Shed End Corner. That is 107 tickets more than last season.

They cost £47 and £44 for adults and £19.50 for concessions.

Last year, they cost £48 and £45.

A full travel guide will be published here in the next few days.

Monday, October 12

BBC Panorama on Ryanair


For those that missed it, the BBC devoted half an hour to an insight into the inner workings of everyone's favourite airline, RyanaAdd Imageir.

Some reds love them, others hate them but I think it's fair to say that more Euro-away-going United fans than not have flown on the Irish airline to get to matches abroad.

So
here is the show and, in the interest of balance, here is Ryanair's full reply video.

And, if you're signed up to Red Issue, join the debate about the airline, and the programme, here.

Check if you have Barnsley tickets now


Those who applied for tickets to see United play Barnsley on Tuesday October 27 should now check to see if they have got tickets.

United said ballot results will be published tomorrow, but ballot results are typically published a day or two before the advertised date.

Oakwell holds 23,009 and, for this Carling Cup tie, United have got about 5,800 tickets in the North Stand, which can hold 6,000 people.

Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for concessions. Home supporters are paying the same prices.


Click here for a full travel and pub guide .

Apply for Chelsea tickets now


Executive members and season ticket holders can now apply for tickets to see United play at Chelsea on Sunday, November 8.

They can apply online or by calling 0161 868 8000 until 08:00 on Friday.

They can find out on October 23 if they've got tickets, though it's worth checking on October 21, as results tend to be published two days earlier than stated.

United have got 3,107 tickets in the upper and lower sections of the Shed End Corner. That is 107 tickets more than last season.

They cost £47 and £44 for adults and £19.50 for concessions.

Last year, they cost £48 and £45.

A full travel guide will be published here in the next few days.

Sunday, October 11

Apply for Chelsea tickets from tomorrow


From tomorrow at 08:00, executive members and season ticket holders can apply for tickets to see United play at Chelsea on Sunday, November 8.

They can apply online or by calling 0161 868 8000 until 08:00 on Friday.

They can find out on October 23 if they've got tickets, though it's worth checking on October 21, as results tend to be published two days earlier than stated.

United have got 3,107 tickets in the upper and lower sections of the Shed End Corner. That is 107 tickets more than last season.

They cost £47 and £44 for adults and £19.50 for concessions.

Last year, they cost £48 and £45.

A full travel guide will be published here in the next few days.

Saturday, October 10

Bargain of the day - fly to Chelsea for £76.50


British Airways is offering return flights between Manchester and London Gatwick on Sunday November 8 - the day United play at Chelsea - for £76.50.

Flight time each way is an hour. So with a 16:00 kick off, you can fly at 06:40 or 12:20 on the way there and at 20:30 on the way back, for £39.60 there and £36.90 back.

You can then get the 35-minute train from Gatwick to Victoria (£10 return in advance, £11 on the day) and then get the Tube five stops south west on the District Line to Fulham Broadway for £4 (a two-zone day ticket).

For domestic flights, you only have to check in an hour before the flight and, in many cases, you can check online and go straight through security tothe game. So as long as you arrive by 19:50, you'll be fine.

For more information about flights, visit Skyscanner.

Friday, October 9

Chelsea ticket information released


United have published ticket information ahead of the Champions' trip to Chelsea on Sunday, November 8.

The reds have got 3,107 tickets in the upper and lower sections of the Shed End Corner. That is 107 tickets more than last season.

They cost £47 and £44 for adults and £19.50 for concessions.

The top price last season was £45, meaning Chelsea are the only team so far this season to increase prices for reds on 2008/09.

Executive members and season ticket holders can apply for tickets from 08:00 on Monday until 08:00 on Friday online or by calling 0161 868 8000.

They can find out on October 23 if they've got tickets, though it's worth checking on October 21, as results tend to be published two days earlier than stated.

A full travel guide will be published here in the next few days.

Thursday, October 8

Last chance to apply for Barnsley tickets


Executive members and season ticket holders have one more day to apply for tickets to see United play Barnsley on Tuesday October 27.

They have until 08:00 tomorrow to apply and will be able to find out on Tuesday if they have got tickets.

You can apply online or by calling United on 0161 868 8000.

Oakwell holds 23,009 and, for this Carling Cup tie, United have got about 5,800 tickets in the North Stand, which can hold 6,000 people.

Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for concessions. Home supporters are paying the same prices.


A full travel and pub guide will be published here in the next few days.

Wednesday, October 7

Hull trip moved away from Boxing Day



United will now face Hull City away on Sunday, December 27, with a 16:00 kick off so the match can be shown live on Sky Sports.

The change will be welcomed by most of the 2,450 reds making the trip as it means they can now get there by train. No services run on Boxing Day, when the match was originally due to be played.

But there aren't many services available. A £32.40 ticket will get you a return with the following times to choose from (direct services in bold):

Going:
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 09:09
Arrive Hull: 11:18
Journey: 2:09

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 10:42
Arrive Leeds: 11:37
Leave: 12:00
Arrive Doncaster: 12:28
Leave: 12:55
Arrive Hull: 13:48
Journey: 3:06


Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 10:11
Arrive Leeds: 11:03
Leave: 11:40
Arrive Doncaster: 12:09
Leave: 12:24
Arrive Hull: 13:23
Journey: 3:16

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 11:57
Arrive Hull: 14:00
Journey: 2:05

Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 12:10
Arrive Leeds: 13:04
Leave: 13:40
Arrive Doncaster: 14:09
Leave: 14:21
Arrive Hull: 15:16
Journey: 3:10

Coming back
Leave Hull: 18:58
Arrive Manchester Piccadilly: 20:54
Journey: 1:56


Leave Hull: 21:00
Arrive Leeds: 21:59
Leave: 22:40
Arrive Manchester Piccadilly: 23:36
Journey: 2:36

Ballot results for Liverpool expected shortly


Executive members and season ticket holders who applied to see United play Liverpool are advised to check their booking history from today.

United said they will publish ballot results on Friday, but it is normal for results to be appear on supporters' booking history two days beforehand.

United have got 3,008 tickets in the Anfield Road End, costing £38 for adults, £28.50 for seniors and £19 for juniors.


A travel and pub guide will be published here in the coming weeks.