Man Utd 'make complaint' to Premier League after raging at 'frustrating' fixture decision

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Manchester United have reportedly complained to the Premier League and Sky Sports after being left frustrated with the latest fixture announcement . Unlike many of their rivals, United are solely focused on the Premier League - and the latest scheduling has left them far from pleased.

Michael Carrick's side have been scheduled to play three times at 8pm in April, facing Leeds and Brentford on Monday nights at Old Trafford, while travelling to face Chelsea on a Saturday at the same time. It means that 14 of their 34 league games that have been scheduled so far have been 8pm kick-offs.

Those times aren't particularly friendly for fans, particularly for the upcoming trip to Stamford Bridge on April 18. But there are other irritations for the club too.

The Sun reports that club officials are 'fuming' over the frustrating decision by the league and broadcasters. They reportedly understand that United are an 'attractive option' for TV but have still raised the issue with both the Premier League and Sky Sports.

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The scheduling is affected by United's lack of involvement in other competitions, having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town in August and out of the FA Cup in the third round by Brighton in January. Those failures, coupled with no European football, means they are more likely to be moved around by the Premier League for scheduling.

United finished 15th last season and then lost the Europa League final against Tottenham , leaving them short of games to play this season. By contrast, there are nine Premier League sides still taking part in the Champions League , Europa League or Conference League, leaving schedulers with many restrictions.

Carrick's side also have a huge break between matches, with 24 days between their trip to Bournemouth , for another 8pm kick-off on March 20, and the following league game against Leeds on April 13. That is due to the international break and the FA Cup quarter-finals, which United are not involved in.

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After losing 2-1 against Newcastle on Wednesday night, there is now an 11-day gap before hosting Aston Villa on March 15. United can hardly moan about such quirks, which is because they are not in the FA Cup, which takes centre stage this weekend for the fifth round.

In fact, it can be argued that the lack of involvement in other competitions has given United an edge on their rivals for a top-four finish in the Premier League, given the rest of the top six are all fighting on other fronts.

Carrick suffered his first defeat since becoming interim boss on Wednesday night, with William Osula producing a stunning winner for 10-man Newcastle. Nevertheless, with Villa losing 4-1 to Chelsea, United stayed in third place with nine league games left to play.

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