Tuesday, July 27

Fulham neutral end tickets on sale now


Tickets for United's trip to Fulham on July 22 have gone on sale in the neutral end.

That is in the Putney End, adjoined to the away section, so it is essentially an extension of the away end.

Tickets cost £65.64 including fees and there are currently 29 left.

Go
here to buy them and use the code SWDISCOUNTS for £5 off.

Monday, July 26

Fulham ticket details released


Away-end tickets for United's August 22 trip to Fulham will cost £48 for adults, £38 for seniors and £22 for juniors, United have confirmed.

Executive Members and season ticket holders can now apply by calling 0161 868 8000 or
online.

They have until 08:00 on Friday.

A full travel guide will be published here by Wednesday.

Kansas City Wizards 2-1 Manchester United


Two first-half goals were enough to give ten-man Kansas a hard-fought 2-1 win over United.

The Wizards endured the entire second half a man short, lining up with a 4-4-1 formation, but somehow seeing the match out.

In front of a 52,424-strong crowd at the New Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas, the home side went 1-0 up after 11 minutes.

Captain Davy Arnaud got in front of defensive partnership Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans and slotted right footed low to Ben Amos's right.

The Americans competed well throughout the first period and had two more good chances to build on their lead.

Back from injury, Nani showed some promise for United with a solo run and a powerful shot after a solo run, which hit the 'keeper.

But it was Dimitar Berbatov who was to get the reds back into the game.

The Bulgarian was tripped by Jimmy Conrad in the box. The referee awarded a penalty - and shocked the crows by sending off Conrad.

Berbatov scored from the spot, but the Wizards restored their lead three minutes later.

Just two minutes before the break, Kei Kamara scored a wonderful headed goal, getting on the end of a corner and nodding well past Amos.

In hot conditions, United found it difficult to break down a Wizards wall, with substitute Danny Welbeck having the best of a number of chances in the second half.

Though this was a young and much-changed side, Sir Alex will not be happy that the likes of Nani, Giggs and Berbatov have slipped to defeat against this level of opposition.

He will be demanding a huge improvement against the MLS All-Star team on Wednesday.

United: Ben Amos; Rafael, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Ritchie De Laet; Nani, Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Ryan Giggs(c); Dimitar Berbatov, Mame Biram Diouf

Subs: Edwin van der Sar, Wes Brown, Danny Welbeck, Fabio, Gabriel Obertan, Federico Macheda, Corry Evans, Tom Cleverley.

Saturday, July 24

Yeovil 3-2 Manchester United XI


Yeovil came back from one down and hit three against a young United side, who then grabbed a consolation goal.

While the goals tally gave the 6,664 spectators inside Huish Park good value for money, the match was less about the result than it was about the occasion.

The afternoon belonged to Darren Way, the Yeovil player whose prosperous career was cut short by a serious car crash.

To the crowd's delight, the Glovers' legend was able to play a two-minute part in the match.

Yeovil hit the bar early on before Rodrigo Possebon gave United the lead, grabbing his second goal in a week.

He made way at half time for Robert Brady and then came an inspired Yeovil fightback.

They grabbed three goals in four minutes, first through Jean-Peal Kalala from 25 yards, then from Sam Williams from close range and then from an Adam Virgo header.

Brady grabbed a late consolation, but the match ended 3-2, meaning United's pre-season record now stands at played three, won two, lost one.

Their next test will be at Oxford United on Tuesday.

Thursday, July 22

Community Shield ticket update

All United end tickets for the Community Shield against Chelsea on August 8 have now sold out.

Philadelphia Union 0-1 Manchester United


A second-half Obertan strike was enough to earn United the win in an otherwise sloppy performance in America.

In front of 44,213 people, United start brightly with Danny Welbeck finding space in the final third.

But he consistently lacked edge in front of goal and failed to make a series of chances pay.

The hosts, however, proved they were not here just to make up the numbers and had three first-half efforts of their own, testing 'keeper Thomas Kuscak regularly. Alejandro Morena and Fred looked a handful for the reds.

At one stage, captain Ryan Giggs made his frustrations clear, ticking off junior teammate Obertan for dwelling too much on the ball.

And, even though the match went through a full spell in the first 20 minutes after the break, it was the Frenchman who put United ahead on 76 minutes.

Undoing all their earlier sterling work, Union gave the ball away sloppily to Welbeck who ran down the right and crossed superbly to Obertan, who slotted home comfortably.

But that strike seemed to paper over the cracks of a flimsy defence, an overrun midfield and a far from clinical strikeforce bolstered by the late arrival of Dimitar Berbatov.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be striving to improve when in Kansas, where they next play, on Sunday.

United: Kusczak; O'Shea (De Laet 76), Brown (Smalling 61), J Evans, Fabio (Rafael 61); Cleverley (C Evans 61), Scholes (Fletcher 61), Giggs; Obertan, Macheda (Berbatov 61), Welbeck.

Wednesday, July 21

United gear up for Philly challenge


Sir Alex Ferguson's men are making final preparations ahead of the second game in their second game of the five-match North American tour

The friendly against Philadelphia Union kicks off at 19:30 local time and 00:30 UK time on Thursday.

It's being played at the 68,000-capacity Lincoln Field Stadium and, like in the first game of the tour, in Canada on Sunday morning, the match has not sold out.

But regardless, it should prove a decent opportunity for the tour squad to regain their fitness against relatively weak opposition.

Union, who were only created in 2009, are in sixth position in the eight-strong Major League Soccer Eastern 16 points behind the leaders and two off the bottom.

Here is the pre-match press conference.

Get Microsoft Silverlight

You can watch the match live on MUTV and the programme starts at midnight, Wednesday going into Thursday.

Alternatively you can watch the match live online. Find links
here.

Reds Away will be bringing you live Twitter updates on the match from 00:25. Add redsaway to Twitter now.

Monday, July 19

Tour firm offers Wembley travel deal


Independent United travel firm, Champion Sports Tours are running a £90 package for the Community Shield trip to Wembley.

For the price, customers will get train tickets from Manchester to London, leaving on Saturday August 7 and returning after the match, which is a day later.

They also get a one-night stay in a London hotel.

The price is based on two people sharing a twin room.

For details, go
here. To book, call 0161 282 1966 or email debbie@mufctravel.com

Chelsea tickets on open sale


Tickets for the Community Shield match against Chelsea at Wembley on August 8 will go n open sale later today.

All season ticket holders and members who applied have got tickets, which cost either £40, £30, £20 or £15 depending on where you sit in the stadium. Under 16s and over 65s get £5 off.

From 20:00, anyone can buy tickets
online but they must first register.

Or they can wait until 08:00 tomorrow and buy over the phone from United's ticket office on 0161 868 800.

Go here for a full ticket, travel and pub guide to this game.

Saturday, July 17

Dunfermline 1-5 Manchester United XI


A United XI side continued their good start to their pre-season campaign by coming out 5-1 winners in Scotland.

In front of a crowd of 2,518, the reds went ahead after just 21 seconds when Norwegian striker Joshua King slotted past Chris Smith following a defensive mishap.

The visitors went two up inside 11 minutes when talented attacker Nicky Ajose hit a superb cross-shot from 20 yards out.

It was further bad news for Dunfermline on 16 minutes King grabbed his second, latching on to the end of the through ball of his countryman Magnus Eikrem.

United further proved their superiority just after the half-hour mark when Rodrigo Possebon scored on the counter attack from a Dunfermline corner.

Having made three substitutions, the hosts improved after the break and Andy Kirk pulled them a goal back with a 25-yard free kick.

United were, however, to have the last of the scoring, when William Keane beat sub 'keeper Kyle Allison with a low shot.

The United XI side is next in action at Yeovil next Saturday. Here is a full ticket and travel guide.

United: 1. Conor Devlin, 2. Scott Wootton, 3. Joe Dudgeon, 4. James Chester, 5. Oliver Gill, 6. Rodrigo Possebon, 7. Oliver Norwood, 8. Ravel Morrison, 9. Joshua King, 10. Magnus Eikrem (captian) and 11. Nicky Ajose.

Subs: 12. Ezekiel Fryers, on for 3, 63, 13. Sam Johnstone, unused, 14. Ryan Tunnicliffe, on for 4, 60, 15. Cameron Stewart, on for 7, 46, 16. William Keane, on for 9, 46, 17. Robert Brady, on for 11, 46.

United 3-1 Celtic


A superb performance from Dimitar Berbatov and a cameo from Paul Scholes capped a decent 3-1 win for the reds.

In the evening Canadian heat, United made a good start, keeping possession on a large, dry pitch.

Scholes delivered some superb crossfield passes and moved the reds up the pitch in the opening half hour.

The first moment of magic came on 31 minutes when Berbatov dashed into the box, collected a Diouf pass with one foot and shot superbly in with the other for 1-0.

After that, the English side dominated the remainder of the first half, but were unable to add a second before the break.

But Celtic came back into it early in the second period, with substitute Georgios Samaras having a head goal disallowed for offside.

The Greek striker was, however, to be rewarded for his energetic performance when he scored from the penalty spot on 61 minutes after Chris Smalling had committed a foul.

It was the Scots who then gained momentum and looked the more threatening, but it was United who were to take the lead.

Again it was Berbatov who looked dangerous, but rather than taking a chance to shoot in the area, he feigned a shot and squared it to substitute Danny Wellbeck, who tapped in for 2-1.

Another substitute, Tom Cleverley, was to benefit from the Bulgarian's man-of-the-match performance on 86 minutes.

Berbatov laid it into the path of the 20-year-old midfielder, whose shot was deflected into the Celtic goal.

After the game, Berbatov said: "I was enjoying the whole game. We started well with a win. Celtic are a very good team. It was a good test of our physical and technical form."

United will fly to Philadelphia tomorrow to prepare for their match against Philalphia Union on Thursday.

United: 1. Edwin Van der Sar, 21. Rafael , 33. Chris Smalling, 23. Johnny Evans (W Brown 46), 20. Fabio (O'Shea 46), 11. Ryan Giggs (Cleverley 45), 24. Darren Fletcher, 18. Paul Scholes (Gibson 46), 26. Gabriel Obertan (Welbeck 62); 32. Mame Diouf (Macheda 63), 9. Dimiatar Berbatov.
Subs: 30. Richie De Leat on for 21 on 62, 6. Wes Brown on for 23 on 46, 22. John O'Shea 46 on for 20 on 46, 35. Tom Cleverley on for 11 on 46, 28. Darren Gibson on for 18 on 46, 19. Danny Welbeck on for 26 on 62 and 27. Federico Macheda on for 32 on 62.


Thursday, July 15

Toronto all set for United welcome


United are gearing up for their first pre-season test against Celtic in Toronto in the early hours of Saturday.

The match kicks off at 19:00 local time and midnight from Friday into Saturday UK time.

It will be be shown live on MUTV, with an hour-long preview show called Countdown to kick off - USA 2010 being aired at 20:00 and again at 22:30.

The match programme starts at 23:30 and ends at 02:30. All times are UK time.

There will, as ever, be internet links to video streams. Find them
here from 21:00 on Friday.

Ticket sales are reportedly not that high, so expect to see gaps around the stadium.

As for the players, humidity has made life pretty uncomfortable for United and the heat won't help either.

During the day, temperatures in the Canadian city will climb up to 29C/84F and it will be very sunny, though it will cool down a little by kick off.

The relatively high temperature might make for a slow tempo match, especially given the fact that it is only the start of pre season.

Fulham neutral end tickets won't be sold to reds


Neutral end tickets for United's first Premier League away match of the season on August 22 will not go on open sale, Fulham FC officials have confirmed.

At Craven Cottage, the Putney End (pictured) behind one goal has seven blocks - P1 to P7. P1 to P4, which are towards the right and centre as you look at the pitch, are sold as away tickets through the visiting club's ticket office.

Tickets in P5 to P7 are sold through Fulham.

Once United's last league game at Fulham sold out, tickets for those three blocks went on general sale on the website of ticket exchange company Seatwave.

Technically, they were sold at face value, which was £49, though with a hefty commission of £16.90 and a recorded delivery fee of £8.

But despite the inflated price tag, Reds logged on to snap the tickets within minutes.

However, Fulham has confirmed that, this year, only members and season ticket holders will be able to buy Seatwave tickets.

A club spokesman said: "Due to the high level of interest in this fixture, we haven't made any provision for a general sale of tickets for this game and I wouldn't anticipate that position altering."

"Sale of tickets on the exchange is restricted to other season ticket holders and club members."

What it means for reds is that the only place to get tickets for this match is through applying in the usual way to United's ticket office.

United are expected to announce ticket prices sale dates by July 24.

We predict United will get 2,930 tickets costing £49 for adults, £38 for over 65s and £22 for under 16s.

3,000-plus crowd expected for Scots match


Match organisers have revealed they have so far sold roughly 150 tickets and 100 hospitality places to United fans for the match between Dunfermline and a United XI on Saturday week.

A club spokesman said: "We're not aware of exact numbers of fans from Manchester and beyond, but we'd estimate out of the 1,200 tickets sold about 150 have been to people travelling from England.

"We have also sold 300 hospitality places of which 100 more people have been travelling from Manchester/England."

"We will also be opening a few cash gates around the stadium.

"Ticket sale have picked up over the last week so we're expecting about 3,000-plus people."

East End Park holds 12,509 fans and reds will occupy the East Stand behind one goal, which holds 3,073 fans.

Tickets for the away end are on sale now priced £12 adults, £6 concessions.

Get them from 01383 745 909 on weekdays from 09:00 to 14:00 or from 01383 626 737 on weekdays except Monday from 09:00 until 12:30 and on Saturdays from 09:30 to 17:30.

You can also pay £55 for the complimentary bar package which includes a pre-match two-course meal, a match programme, a seat in the Main Stand, half time refreshments and a free bar from 12:30.

Or you can pay £25 for all of the above except for the free bar. Full ticket details
here.

A full ticket, travel, hotel and pub guide to this match is
here.

Thomas Cook to offer Wembley coaches


United's new official coach provider Thomas Cook has announced it will be running coaches to Wembley for the Community Shield match against Chelsea on August 8.

Places cost £35 per person and coaches will depart from the W2 car park.
Those who book will be able to leave their cars parked there during the day.

Departure and arrival times will be confirmed nearer matchday.

Book
here or by calling 0870 752 0924.

As previously confirmed, there are two other coach organisers running coaches to this game.

You can find pricing and booking details, as well as a complete ticket, travel and pub guide for the Chelsea match, here.

Wednesday, July 14

Community Shield ticket update


Season ticket holders who applied for tickets to see United play Chelsea at Wembley have all got them.

They check for confirmation
online or by calling United on 0161 868 8000.

United have got 26,690 tickets priced at £40, £30, £20 and £15 for adults and £5 less than those prices for under 16s and over 65s.

One United members can apply for tickets at any of those prices from 08:00 tomorrow to 08:00 on Monday either online or by phone.

They will be able to check on Tuesday by phone or online if they have got tickets.

A full ticket, travel and pub guide is for this game is here.

Monday, July 12

Oxford United ticket, travel, hotel and pub guide

Oxford United
Kassam Stadium
Oxfordshire
Pre-season friendly
Tuesday July 27, kick off 19:45


Preview
After friendlies at Dunfermline and Yeovil, a United XI squad will play in Oxford four days before the lads hit the road again, heading for St Johnstone.

It will be another opportunity for younger lads and reserve-team players to show what they can and gain a place in the first-team squad in the new season.

Despite suffering a great deal of turmoil in their recent history, Oxford are on a high after winning promotion from the Conference to League Two last season. More than 33,000 Oxford fans travelled to Wembley to see them beat York on May 16.

Of course, they had been a top-flight team (then the First Division) until 1988 before suffering an 18-year decline, the worst coming in 2006 when they were relegated to the Conference.

But the high play-off final following and even a 10,613 crowd at a home match against Luton last September shows there is a mood of resurgence among Chris Wilder's men.

The United match will no doubt be a pre-season moral boost for the Us.

Tickets
The 12,500 stadium has three sides – it is missing one end behind a goal.

Fans attending a United XI match v Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford on July 27 can now by tickets.

Reds have been allocated all of the all-seater North Stand (pictured), which is on the half way line and has a capacity of 5,026.

If you buy in advance, they cost £15 for adults, £11.50 for students and £9 for over 65s and under 16s.

If you buy on the day, they cost £17 for adults, £13 for students and £10 for over 65s and under 16s.

The cheapest tickets are in the Oxford Mail Stand - in the home end behind the goal.

If you buy in advance, they cost £14 for adults, £11 for students, and £7.50 for over 65s and under 16s.

If you buy on the day, they cost £16 for adults, £12.50 for students, and £8.50 for over 65s and under 16s.

All students must carry NUS cards.

Get tickets
here or from the ticket office during business hours on 01865 337 533.


Travel

Summary: It's a five-hour round trip by car and there are no train or coach options that are convenient. So either go by car or stay overnight and travel home the next day.

Car - £50
If you've got a satnav, use the destination postcode OX4 4XP if you're heading right to the stadium.

The journey takes two-and-a-half hours and costs about £25 in petrol each way.

The basic route is M6, M42, M40 and A4074.

Parking – free
The stadium is one of a few to offer free parking at the club. There are 2,000 spaces offered on a first come, first served basis.

If that gets full, there's an overflow car park with 400 more spaces next door where the Ozone Bowlplex is. Cars that park on grass verges will get ticketed.

If you still can't find a space, set your satnav for OX4 6DG, which is for Knight Road, a street away from the ground. There are no parking restrictions and there will be hardly any congestion after the game.

Train - £25.50 one way, £42.50 return
There are lots of services there, but no realistic ones home (though it is possible).

There are two stations near the ground: Radley which is 2.4 miles away and Oxford which is 3.6 miles away. It's a lot easier to get off at Oxford.

On the way there
Make sure you leave Manchester after 10:00 because it's a weekday, so pre 10:00 prices are way more expensive than afterwards.

From 10:27, direct trains leave Manchester Piccadilly platform 4 at 27 past every hour.

Those trains take 2 hours and 45 minutes, so the last one you can catch leaves at 16:27 and arrives at 19:14.

There is an indirect route, which requires two changes at Crewe and Birmingham New Street.

From 10:30, services leave Manchester Piccadilly playform 8 at 30 minutes past every hour.

That route takes three hours and 10 minutes, so the last one you can catch leaves at 15:30 and arrives at 18:40.

From Oxford Stration, you can get a taxi for about £10 (see taxi numbers below).

Or, outside the train station, go to bus stop R2 and get on the number 5 service (pictured)

Ask to get off at Knights Road in Blackbird Leys. Buses leave every 10 minutes or less throughout weekdays and the journey takes half an hour.
Here is the timetable.

Leave the bus at the Pegasus Road end of Knight Road and walk down to the end of Knights Road, turn left and follow the footpath to the stadium.

On the way back
Buses leave Knights Road to the train station every 10 minutes until 23:05 and, with the game due to finish at 21:30, you should reach the train station by 22:15.

But the problem is that the last service of the night leaves Oxford (pictured) at 21:36 - about the same time as the full-time whistle will be blown.

Leave Oxford: 21:36
Arrive Coventry: 22:22
Leave: 22:31
Arrive Rugby: 22:42
Leave: 22:54
Arrive Manchester Piccadilly: 00:35

If you want to go one way, it will cost £25.60 in advance if you buy from National Rail and £56.50 on the day.

If you want to go both ways, it will cost £42.50 in advance if you buy from National Rail and £56.70 on the day.

Coach - £34.90
It's the same story with National Express.

There are five routes going, but no realistic ones on the way back, unless you are happy to arrive in Manchester at 07:35, spending two hours in Milton Keynes in the process.

Coaches leave Chorlton Street at 07:00, 09:05 and 12:00 changing at Birmingham and arriving in Oxford at 12:50, 14:20 and 17:10.

Coaches also leave Chorlton Street at 09:30 and 11:00, changing at Milton Keynes and arriving in Oxford at 15:25 and 16:55.

The coach station is in George Street in the city centre. If you head towards Hythe Bridge Street and walk for five minutes, you'll reach Oxford Train Station, from where you can catch the bus to the stadium (see the train section above).

On the way home, the coach leaves Oxford at 22:05 and arrives in Manchester at 07:35.
If you buy in advance from National Express, a singe costs £30.70 and a return costs £34.90.

Again, with Megabus, there's a way of getting there, but not back. Leave Shudehill Interchange at 07:00 and arrive Water Eaton Park and Ride in Oxford at 11:55. The one-way fare is £10.


Hotels (all prices are per person, per night for a twin or double room)

Bargain - £31

The three-star Eurobar and Cafe Hotel, at 38 George Street, is right next to the bus station and five minutes from the station, so it's a perfect place to relax after a long train journey...and sleep in before the trip home.

It's comfortable and stylish and the only downside is that you have to share a bathroom.

Value and convenience - £42.50

The Express By Holiday Inn
(pictured) is a three-star hotel right next door to the stadium...so you can go straight from the match to the bar and then climb the stairs to sleep it off. It's a big 160-room hotel and all rooms have power showers and Sky. It's free parking for all guests too.

Luxury - £69.50
Staying at The Macdonald Randolph Hotel in Beaumont Street might actually beat the game as the highlight of your trip!

It's a classy four-star joint right at the heart of the city centre with a top-class restaurant, a bar so brilliant that is a tourist draw in its own right, a spa, a jacuzzi and a gym.

You can book any of these hotels at booking.com and can cancel at no cost up to 24 hours before you arrive. You will be charged when you arrive at the hotel.

Pubs
There are dozens of pubs to choose from in the city centre, though our favourite is The Swan and Castle (pictured) in Castle Street.

It's a Wetherspoons pub and offers good, decently priced food and relaxed atmosphere. It opened in December.

The Priory is behind the car park at the end of the ground that doesn't have a stand. It welcome both home and away fans, especially for a friendly match like this.

But if that gets too crowded, there is a decent bar at the above-mentioned Express By Holiday Inn, the hotel opposite the ground, which you can't miss. The staff there are happy for football fans to call in.

Other than that, there's a smaller and quieter bar within the Ozone Bowlplex bowling alley.


Taxis
City Taxis on 01865 201 201
Radio Taxis on 01865 2 42 42 4
Royal Cars 01865 777 333

Friday, July 9

Wembley (Chelsea) ticket, travel and pub guide


Chelsea
Wembley Stadium
London
FA Community Shield
Sunday August 8, kick off 15:00

NOTE: The tie must be decided on the day, but there's no extra time – it would go straight to penalties, so the latest fans will leave the ground is roughly 17:15.

Tickets - updated Aug 2

Out of a capacity of 90,000, United have got 26,690 tickets priced at £40, £30, £20 and £15 for adults and £5 less than those prices for under 16s and over 65s.

All season ticket holders and members who applied got tickets. They went on open sale and sold out on July 22.

Chelsea end tickets have sold out.

TV
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1HD, with the show starting at 14:30.

Weather
Information will appear five days before the match

Travel
For live travel information on event days and in the lead up to events call the Wembley Stadium Travel Information Line on 0845 6000 555.

Car - £60

Sat navvies should use the postcode HA9 0WS for Wembley Stadium.

The journey takes three-and-a-half hours and costs about £30 each way petrol (add on £4 if you plan on taking the M6 Toll road).

The basic route is: M6, M42, M1, North Circular Road, Brent and Wembley.

Parking - free

There are four options

1. The Wembley Stadium car park has secure parking for £27.75 a car. Blue badge holders can book places for £17.75 a vehicle. Book both of these here. The car park opens at 07:00. Book here.

2. If you want something cheaper but need to park near the stadium, you will find quite a few car parks on industrial premises charging about £10 per car.

3. A good park-and-ride compromise is parking at a Tube stop and finishing your journey by Tube.

You can pay £1 to park all day at Ickenham Tube Stop car park, which has 176 spaces, then take the Metropolitan Line nine stops east to Wembley Park. Buy a one-day six-zone Travel Card for £7.50, as two singles will cost £8.

You can book places in loads of different tube stops here.

4. If you've got the time, you can easily find a free parking spot within five minutes' walk of Ickenham Tube Stop.

You can then take the Metropolitan Line nine stops east to Wembley Park. Buy a one-day six-zone Travel Card for £7.50, as two singles will cost £8.

Train - about £66.20
From Manchester Piccadilly there are three ways of getting there by train – via Euston, via Milton Keynes and via Watford Junction.

If you buy tickets on the day, it will cost £66.20 for a return. Booking the entire route in advance is the same price.

We advise to book the Manchester to Milton Keynes/Watford/London Euston part of the journey in advance and then buy tickets for the remaining part of your journey. It will save you about £20.

Manchester to Wembley Stadium

Option 1 – journey time 3:11
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 08:20
Arrive Watford Junction: 10:39
Leave: 11:06
Arrive: Harrow and Wealdstone: 11:12
Leave: 11:22
Arrive Wembley Central: 11:31

Option 2 – journey time 3:18
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 08:27
Arrive Crewe: 09:02
Leave: 09:13
Arrive Watford Junction: 11:16
Leave: 11:21
Arrive Wembley Central: 11:45

Option 3 – journey time 3:11
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 09:20
Arrive Milton Keynes Central: 11:12
Leave: 11:25
Arrive Harrow and Wealdstone: 12:13

Leave: 12:22
Arrive Wembley Central: 12:31

Option 4 – journey time 2:55
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 10:20
Arrive Watford Junction: 12:34
Leave: 12:51
Arrive Wembley Central: 13:15

Option 5 – journey time 3:05
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 10:35
Arrive London Euston: 13:00
Leave: 13:17
Arrive North Wembley: 13:40

Option 6 – journey time 3:05
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 10:35
Arrive London Euston: 13:00
Leave: 13:17
Arrive North Wembley: 13:40

Option 7 – journey time 2:55
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 11:15

Arrive London Euston: 13:31
Leave: 13:47
Arrive North Wembley: 14:10
Option 8 – journey time 3:05
Leave Manchester Piccadilly: 11:35
Arrive London Euston: 13:49
Leave: 14:17
Arrive North Wembley: 14:40

To the stadium from North Wembley station

Follow the pedestrian route under Empire Way and over Olympic Way to the front of the stadium. It takes 10 minutes

To the stadium from Wembley Central station

Turn right and walk along High Road past McDonalds and Burger King to the Wembley Triangle Junction and Clock Tower Island.

Turn Left into Wembley Hill Road, cross the road and follow the pedestrian route across the White Horse Bridge. It takes 15 minutes.

You can also reach Wembley from London Euston and Harrow and Wealdstone via the Tube.
The price is included in your train ticket and your train ticket will work on the Tube turnstiles.

Wembley Stadium to Manchester
You pretty much ave to go via London Euston on the way back. It's just a matter of how you get to Euston.

Route 1:
Get the train from Wembley Central (pictured) to Harrow and Wealdstone and then onto Euston. It takes about 35 minutes and trains leave every 20 minutes or so.

Route 2:
North Wembley direct to Euston. It takes about 25 minutes and trains leave every 10-15 minutes.

Route 3:
From Wembley Park Tube, go 11 stops south on the Jubilee Line to Green Park and then go three stops north on the Victoria Line to Euston. Services go every five to 10 minutes and take about 30 minutes.

Services for Piccadilly leave Euston at: 17:55, 18:15, 18:35, 18:55, 19:15, 19:35, 19:55, 20:15 and 20:35, 21:24 and 21:50. The journey takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, though the last two take closer to three hours.


Package -updated Aug 2
Independent United travel firm, Champion Sports Tours are running a £90 package for the Community Shield trip to Wembley. It is now sold out.

For the price, customers will get train tickets from Manchester to London, leaving on Saturday August 7 and returning after the match, which is a day later.

They also get a one-night stay in a London hotel.

The price is based on two people sharing a twin room.

For details, go
here. To book, call 0161 282 1966 or email debbie@mufctravel.com

Coach - £35 - updated Aug 2

United's new official coach provider Thomas Cook has announced it will be running coaches to Wembley for the Community Shield match against Chelsea on August 8.
Places cost £35 per person and coaches will depart from the W2 car park.
Those who book will be able to leave their cars parked there during the day.

Departure and arrival times will be confirmed nearer matchday. Six coaches have sold out. Two places remain on the seventh, and lots of places remain on the eighth.

Book
here or by calling 0870 752 0924.

The Betty Bus is running to this game. It leaves from Chorlton Street Bus Station at 06:30, will call at the Bishop's Blaize pub in Chester Road at 06:45 and can call in Stockport at 06:00 by request. Five places remain.

Places cost £35. To book, email your name, number of required places and a contact telephone number to redsaway@hotmail.co.uk

National Express is running coaches to and from the game from Manchester Chorlton Street, with places costing £36 per adult and £18 per under 16. Book here

They leaves Chorlton Street at 07:30, call at Birmingham Coach Station at 09:30 and reach Wembley at 12:15.

On the way back, they leaves the stadium at 17:30 (depending on when the match ends) and reach Chorlton Street at 22:15 after calling at Birmingham Coach Station at 20:15.

It's a 4hr 45min journey both ways.

Coach/Train combo - -updated Aug 2 - £24.30
National Express also runs coaches between Manchester Chorlton Street and London Victoria Coach Station. You can buy returns in advance now from £8.

Outward
Leave Manchester: 05:45
Arrive Victoria: 10:50
Journey time: 5:05
One-way cost £16

From Victoria, walk south to Victoria Tube stop (as shown by the map below) and buy a one-day Travelcard covering zones 1-4 for £6.30

Travel from Victoria one stop north on the Victoria Line and get off at Green Park. Then travel 11 stops north on the Jubilee Line to Wembley Park. That takes about 23 minutes.

To get to the stadium, turn right out of the station and walk down Bridge Road for a few minutes towards Wembley Park Drive. Then turn left onto Olympic Way and the stadium is a five-minute walk straight ahead.

Homeward
Leave Victoria: 19:00, 20:00, 22:30
Arrive Manchester: 23:50, 00:45, 02:45
Journey time: 4:50, 4:45, 4:15
One-way cost: £12, £18, £12

Megabus runs coaches between Chorlton Street to London Victoria.

Outward
Leave Manchester: 04:30, 06:30, 09:15
Arrive Victoria: 08:30, 11:00, 14:00
Journey time: 4:00, 4:30, 5:15
One-way cost: £9, £9, £9

Walk to Victoria Tube Station (use the map on the right) and travel from Victoria one stop north on the Victoria Line and get off at Green Park. Then travel 11 stops north on the Jubilee Line to Wembley Park. That takes about 23 minutes.

To get to the stadium, turn right out of the station and walk down Bridge Road for a few minutes towards Wembley Park Drive. Then turn left onto Olympic Way and the stadium is a five-minute walk straight ahead.

Homeward
Leave Victoria: 18:30, 19:30, 23:00
Arrive Manchester: 23:00, 23:55, 03:00
Journey time: 4:30, 4:25, 4:00
One-way cost: £15, £15, £9

Plane and train combo - -updated Aug 2- £162.70
British Airways is offering flights between Manchester and Heathrow and Gatwick.

At the time of writing, there are four sets of flights for under £100. All flights take an hour.

Leave Manchester: 06:55, 08:25 or 11:45
Leave Gatwick: 21:00, 21:00, 21:00
Return price: £144.40, £166.39, £144.39

From Gatwick, it takes 90 minutes to reach Wembley Stadium train station via Victoria, then across to the Tube and then via London Marylebone. A return costs £18.70.

Leave Manchester: 08:00 on bmi
Leave Heathrow: 20:20 on British Airways
Return price: £166.83

From Heathrow, it takes 80 minutes to reach Wembley Central Tube stop, changing at Piccadilly Circus. A one-day off-peak Tube travelcard covering zones 1-6 costs £7.50. Don't go by train as it costs £46 return.

Pubs
The Torch at 1 Bridge Street, will welcome reds. It has a got a good pre-match atmosphere and is only a 10-minute walk from the ground. Getting served quickly can be a bit of a pain though.

The Greyhound at 324 Harrow Road, is another decent, large football boozer and is a 10-minute walk from Wembley Central and North Wembley station.

If you prefer something slightly quieter, head for The Windermere, in Windermere Avenue, outside South Kenton Tube Station.

It’s out of the way but the queue at the bar will be smaller and you can still make kick off if you leave 20 minutes before the game.

Another decent boozer at which to meet up with friends before the game is the Royal George Hotel right outside London Euston.

Taxis
Cheap Wembley Taxi Firm 0207 183 6499
Angel Cars 0208 900 1111
Radio Cars 0208 8908 0333

Thursday, July 8

Ten United games to be screened live


The Premier League have announced which matches will be shown on Sky and ESPN between the start of the season and the end of November.

United matches to be screened are:

- NEWCASTLE, now on Monday August 16 at 20:00 on Sky

- Fulham, now on Sunday August 22 at 16:00 on Sky

- WEST HAM, still on Saturday August 28, now at 17:30 on ESPN

- Everton, now on Sunday September 12 at 13:30 on Sky (though if United have to play a Champions League game on September 14, the Everton game will be on Saturday, September 11 at 12:45).

- LIVERPOOL, now on Sunday September 19 at 13:30 on Sky

- Bolton, now on Sunday September 26 at 12:00 on ESPN (though if United have to play a Champions League game on September 28, the Bolton game will be on Saturday, September 25, kick off TBC).

- Stoke, now on Sunday October 24 at 13:30 on Sky (though this will change if Tottenham are playing in the Europa League on October 21)

- TOTTENHAM, still on Saturday October 30, now at 17:30 on ESPN

- Manchester City, still on Wednesday November 10 at 20:00, now on Sky

- Aston Villa, still on Saturday November 13, now at 12:45 on Sky

Wednesday, July 7

Dublin tickets on sale to everyone now/update

Buy them here. They cost e45 (£37.48) or e60 (£49.98) with no booking fees.

We have also been told by the Football Association of Ireland that United will get a separate allocation for an away end, but a spokesman did not reveal any more details.
Here is a full travel guide for the game.

Tuesday, July 6

Thomas Cook to run MU Travel


United have ended their fans' travel agreement with Cooperative Travel Sports and have signed a new deal with Thomas Cook.

It means for the next four years, the firm will provide packages for reds going to Euro away games and coaches going to domestic away games.

But according to
United's website, Eavesway still provides coaches for domestic away games, so we are seeking to clear up the situation.

Thomas Cook already provide club-endorsed flight and hotel packages for fans of Aberdeen, Aston Villa, Celtic Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City and Rangers.

Quite how this change will affect the conditions of getting to away games for ordinary reds remain to be seen.

Some are anxious that a deal to make it compulsory for fans to buy away match travel with tickets, but those are only unfounded concerns at present.

What is certain is that the European Travel Club remains in place for the 2010/11 season.

Here is Thomas Cook Sport's new United website.

Friday, July 2

United announce Wembley ticket information


United have announced ticket details for the Community Shield clash with Chelsea on Sunday August 8.

As
we predicted on June 14, tickets will cost £40, £30, £20 and £15. Under 16s and over 65s will get £5 off those prices.

United have got 26,690 tickets at the east end of Wembley

Season ticket holders can apply online or by calling 0161 868 8000 from now until 08:00 on Monday.

They will be able to check on July 14 by phone or online if they have got tickets.

We predict every season ticket holder who applies will get tickets and there will be tickets remaining.

Following an announcement that that is the case, One United members will be able to apply for tickets from 08:00 on July 15 to 08:00 on July 19 either online or by phone.

They will be able to check on July 20 by phone or online if they have got tickets.

A full ticket, travel, hotel and pub guide will be published here shortly.

Thursday, July 1

Philadelphia Union ticket, travel, hotel and pub guide


Philadelphia Union
Lincoln Financial Field,
Pennsylvania
Wednesday July 21, kick off 19:30 local time and 00:30 on July 22 UK time

Preview
This match is the second stop of United's five-game tour of North America.

No United player had made it past the second round stage of the World Cup, meaning all players will have had at least two weeks of rest before this game.

So, potentially, Sir Alex could field a pretty strong side, but expect lots of substitutions and a slow tempo.

As for their opponents, Philadelphia Union are currently lying 7th out of 8th in the Major League Soccer Eastern Union, eight points off a playoff place. The season lasts from March until October.

But to be fair to the club, it has only been around since February 2008 and is only in its first season.

The name Union refers to the Thirteen Colonies, which used to be under British Control, but then declared their independence. Philadelphia was the first.

Union usually play at the 18,500 PPL Park Stadium, so the 68,532-capacity venue this match will be played in will be a bit of a step up.

They're actually playing a league game at home against Toronto FC on Saturday, July 17 at 15:30 local time. Tickets cost from $25 to $150 from here.

Tickets

They are now on sale.

From Ticketmaster, they cost from $30 (£20.22) to $225 (£151.66), though there is usually a 'facility charge' of $4 (£2.69) and a convenience charge of at least $7.65 (£5.15) per ticket.

The facility charge stays the same no matter how expensive the ticket, but the convenience charge goes up with the price of the ticket.

Get your tickets here or click on the logo.

When buying the cheapest tickets from Ticketmaster, make sure you select $30, then 'regular seating' and then 'lower level' else it will put you through to the more expensive seats.

There doesn't seem to any designated away end, though the One United USA supporters club will have its own section. For information, email membership@oneunitedusa.com

Getting there

Tour

Champion Sports Tours has a package, but it is sold out.

It is for a is a seven-night trip to Toronto and Philadelphia.

On July 15, guests will depart Manchester Airport and reach Toronto after one flight transfer.
They will then stay in a three-star hotel for five nights.

On July 20, the group will travel to Philadelphia.

On July 22, they will depart Philadelphia and fly to Manchester Airport.

The package costs £1,050 per person based on two guests sharing a twin room, though upgrades to four and five-star hotels are available.

People paying by credit card will have to pay a two-per-cent charge - £21.00. Insurance is available for both packages.

Independent travel - £512
It isn't cheap. The best deal you're likely to get is £512 return from London Gatwick to Philadelphia International Airport on US Airways, bmi or TAP.

You can also go from Manchester on Delta for £542 return or from London Heathrow on Air Canada or British Airways for £543.

Flight take 7 hours to 7 hours 50 minutes each way.

From the airport

Philadelphia International Airport
is the 11th busiest airport in the world and it has six terminals (two of which are absolutely huge).

The terminal you arrive into depends on which airline you fly with.

Downtown Philadelphia is 10 miles north east of the airport and pretty easy to reach.

By road, once you've gone past the golf club, it's just one straight road (Broad Street) into the city centre. Taxis go from outside every terminal and a flat rate of $28.50 (£18.79) applies.

The airport also has its own own train station (pictured) and it costs $7 (£4.61) one way to any of the five stations in the city centre. You can also pay $10 (£6.59) for a day ticket.

There is a separate station linked to each terminal. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the centre. You can get timetable information here.

Orientation
For the purpose of this guide, we will call the central location City Hall, which has its own Metro Station on the yellow Broad Street north-to-south line. Here is a map.


To the stadium
It's very simple to reach from City Hall.

Take seven stops south on the Metro Broad Street line and get off at Pattison, which is right by the stadium. It takes 15 minutes to get there. A metro map is here.

Even though it's effectively in a straight line south, it would take you about 80 minutes to walk.

Hotels (All prices are per person, per night in a twin or double room)
Places to stay in the US are always pretty pricey, mostly because service is everything and three-star level is seen as the minimum, and four-star the norm.

Budget - £36.80
The Society Hill Hotel
at 301 Chesnut Street, is a small hotel with only 12 rooms. But it's four-star rated and brilliant value for money. It's located five minutes away from Independence Hall and all rooms have air conditioning. Rooms get booked out very quickly.

Comfortable - £51.30
Hilton City Avenue (pictured) at 4200 City Avenue is as central as it gets. It's a great place to stay and, though it is only three stars, it offers a very comfortable stay, with two restaurants, a superb bar and brilliant rooms.

Luxury - £76.61
It doesn't get much better than the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel at 170 Locust Street. It's in Rittenhouse Square and each of the 301 rooms are brilliant. There's a fitness centre, two restaurants and staff run tours of the city.

You can book any of the three hotels above, plus 40 or so other Philadelphia hotels at booking.com On most bookings, you pay the fee on arrival at the hotel and can cancel for free up to 24 hours before arrival.

Top 10 sights
1. Franklin Square (mini golf, picnic area, fairground rides)
2. Philadelphia Brewing Co. brewery tour
3. Sugarhouse Casino
4. The Liberty Bell (pictured)
5. City tour (leaves from 5th and Market Street regularly throughout the day)
6. Philadelphia Art Museum
7. Philadelphia Zoo
8. Love Park (public part with amazing scenery)
9. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (American Revolution landmark)
10. Eastern State Penitentiary (derelict 18th-century solitary confinement prison)

Pubs
As the MLS season is ongoing, there are pretty much two matches to see every day, so it's best to find a decent pub showing it.

How about Fergie's (pictured) at 1214 Sansom Street? Surely that must be an omen?

It sells 38 bottled drinks including Harp, Heineken and Stella Artois and 12 beers on tap. It's open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 02:00 and Sunday from 17:00 to 02:00.

Alternatively, try the Dark Horse Pub at 421 South Second Street, which also shows the matches and serves decent food (the steak and mushroom pie is apparently the highlight).

It has an outdoor seating area if the weather is good and it has one of the oldest working fireplaces in the city. This pub is near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It's open daily from 11:30 to 02:00

Other options include Fado Irish Pub at 1500 Locust Street and O’Neal’s Pub at Third and South Street.

Practical information
The currency is the American dollar. 82p makes a $1 and $l.51 makes £1.

At the moment, Althams gives the best conversion rate.

Althams has branches in Bolton, Bury, Farnworth, Denton and many other Lancashire and Greater Manchester locations.

Police/fire/ambulance – call 911 in an emergency. For police, call 311 in a non emergency

Hahnemann University Hospital as at Broad and Vine. Call 215-762-700 in a non emergency.

Internet cafe – Cafe Mocha at 263 South 10th Street, just off Broad Street. Internet access is free when you buy a cup off coffee (which can be pricey).

Philadelphia British Honorary Consulate is on the 33rd floor at 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia. Call 215-557-7665.

If you're calling home or UK mobile phones from Philadelphia, remove the first 0 and add 01144.

More resources
Philadelphia Tourism Website
Metro map
Train timetables