Old Trafford Nights

Following on from the previous article about the FA Youth Cup, it is good to see that Manchester United will play their 3rd Round tie against Derby County at Old Trafford, rather than farming it out to Leigh Sports Village as they could have done.

The players from both teams, together with their family and friends, will remember the occasion forever no matter what their future careers hold.

Kick-off on Tuesday 19th December is at 7pm and tickets are priced at just £3 for adults and £1.50 for under-16's. 

More details on the game can be found by clicking here 

Game of the Week: Workington versus Manchester United

There have been some fantastic fund-raising initiatives across football over the past couple of months, generating much-needed income for clubs and also for good causes within local communities.

Many different approaches have been tried, from direct appeals for donations to virtual matchdays and all points in between and with potentially many more months of inactivity to come then goodwill and creativity will be needed in abundance if the worst-case scenario of clubs folding is to be avoided.

And that sums up nicely an idea from Workington AFC to show, on YouTube Live at 3pm on Saturday 30 May, the biggest ever game in the club’s history when the Busby Babes of Manchester United came to Borough Park for an FA Cup 3rd Round tie in January 1958 and a crowd of 21,500 watched a win for the Reds just over a month before the Munich Air Disaster.

That attendance figure is what Workington are looking to beat in terms of ticket sales for the broadcast and a minimum donation of just £2 will secure your virtual spot on the terraces with 25% of the net profits raised also going to NHS charities.

The club's twitter page has all the build-up to the game.

Game of the Week: Manchester United v Wigan Athletic

This season's FA Youth Cup is at the quarter-final stage and there is a great opportunity to watch a match under the lights at Old Trafford on Friday at 7pm.

Surprisingly for a club where young players are such a part of the fabric this is the first time Manchester United have been in the last eight of the competition since 2012.

Wigan have looked impressive in defeating Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City to get this far and now have a great opportunity to shine in front of what should be a big crowd.

No tickets are required and admission is free.

In other quarter-finals Manchester City host Burnley at the Academy Stadium on Wednesday 4th March (7pm, admission £3/£1) while Ewood Park is the venue for Blackburn Rovers against Arsenal on Friday 6th (7pm, admission £4/£2).

Watch Manchester United For Free In 2018/19

There are a host of opportunities to watch the Old Trafford youngsters for free this coming season with the majority of Under-23 matches in both Premier League 2 and the Premier League International Cup being held at Leigh Sports Village.

Aston Villa are the first opponents, on Friday 17th August, with a total of 10 matches scheduled to be played in Leigh including the visits of the Under-23 equivalents of both PSV Eindhoven and Paris St Germain in January.

Supporters can register their details in advance to get updates about fixture changes and team news but admission is free to all of the game simply by turning up at the stadium.

Manchester United v Spurs For Free On Monday

The Under-23 clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, in Premier League 2, on Monday evening (29th Jan) is free entry for all spectators.

Having made his first senior start against Yeovil in the FA Cup on Friday evening, Angel Gomes could be in line to play in the game.

Kick-off is at 7pm. 

United Under-23's return to Leigh Sports Village on Friday 16th February with free admission to the game against Chelsea which kicks off at 7.05pm. 

Watch Eight Manchester United Matches For Free

And more to come across the 2017/18 season as the Reds will be playing the majority of their Premier League 2, Premier League International Cup (both Under 23s) and UEFA Youth League (Under 19s) at Leigh Sports Village.

The action starts with the visit of Swansea City on Monday 21 August for a 7pm start in Premier League 2 with free admission via registration through the LSV website. 

In line with the rules of Premier League 2, United will also play at least three games at Old Trafford.

This requirement, for all participating clubs, means there are matches scheduled in August at the Etihad Stadium (Friday 11th), St Mary's (Monday 14th), Goodison Park, the Hawthorns (both Friday 18th)and the Emirates Stadium (Monday 21st) among others and most of these should not cost more than a fiver for adults to attend.

A full list of fixtures is available here but please double check before you go as Under 23 games can be switched at short notice.

Watch Manchester United Three Times For Free Before Christmas

Three opportunities to catch a free match involving the Red Devils before Christmas, starting this coming Monday evening when Old Trafford plays host to the FA Youth Cup Third Round tie against Southampton.

At a stage of the competition where some other Premier League clubs have opted to play their home ties elsewhere it is good to see the doors of the famous old stadium being thrown open for a 7pm kick-off (turnstiles open at 6pm) and with no need to obtain a ticket beforehand.

The excellent Leigh Sports Village facility also plays host to two matches in the Premier League International Cup.

United Under-23's host Sparta Prague at 7pm on Thursday 15th December before playing Middlesbrough the following Thursday, 22nd December, again at 7pm.

Admission is free to both games, more details can be found here.

Start The Week With Free Football at Old Trafford & Carrow Road

As the season draws to a close and with the worst of the weather now over, clubs do tend to increase the number of Under-21 matches they play at their home stadium and both Manchester United and Norwich City are offering free admission to their respective fixtures this coming Monday, April 4th.

Old Trafford hosts the Under-21 clash between the Reds and the Blues of Chelsea with kick-off at 7:45pm and turnstiles open from 6:45pm.

The MUFC website also lists the game against Middlesbrough on Monday 11th as being played at Old Trafford.

In their other fixture at the stadium this season, United put seven goals past Norwich City. The Canaries will be hoping for a better result when they entertain Everton at Carrow Road on Monday.

Kick-off is at 7pm and supporters can claim free tickets via the official club website.

Also next week there are ‘Pay What You Want’ matches at Herne Bay FC, on Tuesday 5th against Ramsgate with all proceeds going to the Kent Air Ambulance, and at Stocksbridge Park Steels and Frome Town FC on Saturday 9th.

Birmingham City have a trio of Tuesday evening matches in April and anyone buying a ticket for the matches against Brighton on the 5th and Leeds (12th) will receive a free brief for the Preston game on the 19th.

It is 'Kids for a Quid' at Oldham Athletic when they take on Swindon Town in League One on Tuesday 5th and there are two important qualifiers for the UEFA Women's European Championship.

England Women play Belgium at Rotherham United on Friday 8th, 7:55pm. Admission is priced at £5 Adults, £2.50 Children and £10 for a Family (2+2). England head coach Mark Sampson named his squad for the game earlier this week.

And Scotland take on Slovenia at the Paisley 2021 Stadium home of St Mirren FC, same date and with kick-off at 7:45pm. Prices for this one are £5 Adults and £2 Concessions with a 2 for 1 offer on pre-sale tickets.

Two Chances to Watch Manchester United for Free

An exciting FA Youth Cup encounter looks to be in store as Manchester United and Chelsea meet on Friday evening (22nd Jan) at 7:05pm.

Although you would imagine both clubs to have the pick of the talent at their disposal, the future of the United Academy is actually the subject of much discussion at present with neighbours City seen to have a stolen a march on them and a review of the future structure of the Old Trafford system currently taking place.

But, with a record 10 triumphs in the competition, the FA Youth Cup has been the backdrop to some famous nights for young Reds over the years and the new generation get their chance to progress when meeting Chelsea at the home of Altrincham FC on Friday with free entrance to all spectators.

At Under-21 level, those who watch United regularly at Leigh Sports Village will have seen Adnan Januzaj impress against Southampton earlier this week and their will be a bigger stage for the development side to play on when Norwich are the visitors on Monday 8th February.

This game will be played at Old Trafford, kick-off 7pm and with free entrance to all spectators.

Norwich City Versus Manchester United: Free On Monday Night

Norwich City's successful staging of high-profile Under-21 fixtures at Carrow Road continues this Monday when supporters can watch the game against Manchester United, kick-off 7pm, for free.

6,684 came through the turnstiles for the last such fixture against Tottenham recently and the Canaries will also have their Family Fanzone, in place for weekend Premier League matches, set up for this game as well.

Start November With A Bang: Manchester United, Birmingham City And More

The clocks may have gone back by then and the nights may be drawing in but there are plenty of opportunities to get your football fix in the opening week of November.

Starting on Sunday 1st when Rotherham United host the 2015 Continental Tyres Cup final between Arsenal and Notts County.

Tickets for the 3pm kick-off are priced at £5 Adults and £2.50 Concessions. A £10 Family ticket is available in person and over the telephone while group bookings of 15 or more can qualify for a reduced rate.

There are two chances to watch Manchester United in action at Leigh Sports Village with free entry when you register at the LSV website.

On Monday 2nd at 7pm the Reds Under-21's take on Reading while the following day, Tuesday 3rd, the U-19's meet CSKA Moscow at 2pm in the UEFA Youth League.

Prices have been reduced for Birmingham City's Championship game at home to Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday 3rd with Adult tickets available from £10 and Children from £5.

Worksop Town host neighbours Retford United on Wednesday 4th November and the local derby can be watched for a minimum of £1 as the Tigers are offering 'Pay What You Want' admission for the game at Sandy Lane.

A bucket collection will also be held at the Northern Counties East Premier League game in aid of the ‘The Bassetlaw Hospital Bereavement Room For Parents’.

Watch Manchester United U-21's Free at Old Trafford

Entry to Manchester United Under-21 games has generally been free this season at the excellent Leigh Sports Village facility and supporters will shortly get the chance to watch the next generation of stars in action at Old Trafford.

The Premier League Under-21 clash with Tottenham on Tuesday 10th March, 7pm, will be played at the stadium with free admission for all fans and no need to register beforehand.

Manchester United - An Easy Target On Tickets?

Manchester United's goalless draw against Cambridge United in the FA Cup on Friday evening means a replay at Old Trafford next week and another exciting night for U's supporters to enjoy.

The Telegraph were quick to call for the Red Devils to offer reduced prices for the replay after similar offers at Manchester City for the Middlesbrough clash.

I've written before that Affordable Football is in the business of highlighting special offers and reduced prices at all levels of the game so this is slightly out of my normal remit but if Manchester United don't have to reduce prices in order to get a decent crowd through the gate or make money (I realise the two don't necessarily go together in this case as adult season ticket holders are charged for FA Cup tickets whether they go or not) then it comes down purely to a goodwill gesture.

But even then, Cambridge would have to agree to reduced prices and as their 9,000 allocation is likely to be snapped up straight away then the U's know there is more money to be made from the status quo.

Prices have not been increased and, with the weekend departure of City and Chelsea from the cup and a favourable 5th Round draw, this is actually a pretty big game for the hosts and so those who do attend will be watching a full-strength side going all out to win.

Free Under-21 Football as Manchester United take on Liverpool

The English game's biggest rivalry resumes at Under-21 level on Monday 26 January when Manchester United and Liverpool meet in the Barclays U-21 Premier League.

United are the host team for the game but the location, Leigh Sports Village, is handily placed for anyone in Liverpool wishing to attend.

Free tickets are available by completing details on the LSV website. United host Fulham, Chelsea and Everton in February and supporters can also register for these games while Blackburn Rovers under-21's also use the stadium frequently for their home matches, their next match is against Middlesbrough on February 23 and again entry is free.

Free Entry to Old Trafford Next Week

Manchester United host Hull City in the FA Youth Cup at Old Trafford on Tuesday 13 January at 7pm and the Reds are offering free entry for the game, a great opportunity for youngsters and families to watch a match at the famous old stadium, under the lights and for free.

The official MUFC website asks for fans to register by texting YOUTH to 60777 although this may be just to give an idea of numbers. Hull's official website states 'Admission to the game is free for all supporters via neutral turnstiles N41, N43 and N46. No tickets are required for this fixture.'

United's under-21 side often play their fixtures at Leigh Sports Village and this venue is also offering free football next week when Blackburn Rovers host Aston Villa in a Premier League U-21 fixture on Monday 12 at 7pm for fans who enter their details at the LSV website.

Everton Versus Manchester United For Free This Month

Earlier this season I blogged on Affordable Football about how clubs could do more to promote reserve team (now under-21) football to a family audience and make much more of the experience rather than farming out games to other venues or playing them in the middle of the day.

Since then I have highlighted Leicester City's attempts to offer just such an experience over the course of the season (2,000+ fans and also the inaugural season of the FA Premier League Under-21 Cup, the next round of which takes places before the end of October.

A mention now for Everton and their decision to make the game against Manchester United on Monday 21st October free for all fans with the specific aim of younger supporters being able to experience the buzz of being in a (hopefully) packed Gwladys Street Stand.

Alan Myers, Director of Communications, said: “The Under-21s have made a terrific start to their season, so we are in for a really exciting game against tough opposition. We hope all our junior fans, some who may not have been able to come to a fixture before, come along and enjoy the magic of Goodison Park.”