Sunday, February 28

Apply for Bolton tickets from tomorrow


Executive members and season ticket holders can apply to get tickets for the Bolton away game from tomorrow.

United have got 2,800 tickets in the South Stand lower tier.

They cost the same as they did last season £27 for adults, £21 for over 65s and £13 for under 16s.

When Liverpool played at the Reebok Stadium in August, they got 4,635 tickets.

People can apply from 08:00 tomorrow until 08:00 on Friday.

Apply by calling United's ticket office on 0161 868 8000 or online.

You can find out if you've got tickets on March 12.

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United

Friday, February 26

Tube on good health for United visit


While there are engineering works taking place on the London Underground this weekend, none of them should affect reds making their way to Wembley.

Supporters arriving at London Euston will have to walk to Euston Square and take the Metropolitan Line north west to Wembley Park.

And though there is a partial closure of the Metropolitan line planned for Sunday, it only affects the part of the line from Moorgate to Algate - the very southern part of the line.

The Victoria Line will be running as normal, so reds getting the Megabus into Victoria will be able to get the Tube north and onwards to Wembley with no problems.

For a full Wembley travel guide, go
here.

Heavy rain forecast for Wembley


The good news is that Sunday's Carling Cup final will be played in the warmest temperature United have played in since November.

According to the BBC, it should be 8C/46F during the match against Aston Villa, which will kick off at 15:00.

However, heavy rain is predicted all day.

Wembley pub guide


The Torch at 1 Bridge Street, will welcome reds on Sunday.

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 (pictured) at 324 Harrow Road, has a licence that allows it to open at 7am.

A special food menu will be on offer and you can get a pint of lager for £3.60 (Fosters, Carling) or £3.80 San Miguel.It’s a decent pub, with Sky, four pool tables (which will probably be covered up at some point), a big (ish) car park and a small porch area.
It's 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…and walk fast.

Another decent boozer is the
Royal George Hotel right outside London Euston.

If you're going via Euston, it's a handy place to meet with mates pre-match and get in a couple of early pints before heading to the ground on the Tube.

Last chance to collect Wembley tickets


Reds who got tickets for this Sunday's Carling Cup final in the second ballot must collect them from Old Trafford before noon today.

The ticket office made second-ballot results available on Tuesday at 08:00 online and on 0161 868 800.

Out of a capacity of 90,000, United have got 31,750 tickets at the east end of the stadium priced at £86, £70, £54 and £38 and half those prices for under 16s and over 65s.

For more ticket news, plus a full travel guide, click here.

United in the news


Anderson ruled out for season (Daniel Taylor, The Guardian)

Anderson faces a minimum six months on the sidelines, automatically ending his chances of winning his place back in the Brazil national squad ahead of the World Cup.
More.

Rio pain is back for Ferguson as lose duo for AC Milan return (Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail)

United will be without Rio Ferdinand or Brazilian midfielder Anderson for their Champions League return against AC Milan in 12 days, after yesterday's bad injury news.
More.

Giggs set for return (The Sun)

He could make his return to action against AC Milan in the Champions League next month.
More.

FA Cup could get midweek revamp to make it 'more relevant' (Daily Telegraph)

FA chief executive Ian Watmore said: "One of the things we've found is that some of the best games and FA Cup nights happen midweek, and not at weekends – as we saw on Wednesday night.
More.

Wednesday, February 24

Bolton ticket information out


United has revealed ticket-selling arrangements for the March 27 game at Bolton, kick off 15:00.

Executive members and season ticket holders can apply for tickets from 8am on March 1 to 8am on March 5.

Ticket prices and allocation details are yet to be released.Last season, United got 2,800 tickets costing £27 for adults, £21 for over 65s and £13 for under 16s.

When Liverpool played at the Reebok Stadium in August, they got 4,635 tickets.

Upper tier tickets cost £35 for adults, £24 for over 65s and £13 for under 18s.

Lower tier tickets cost £27 for adults, £21 for over 65s and £13 for under 18s.

Tuesday, February 23

Carling Cup final competition


To celebrate the 2010 Carling Cup Final between Aston Villa and Manchester United, Carling is inviting United fans to take part in the Carling Cup Final Predictor Challenge on the official website of the competition, www.carlingcup.com.

Enter before the Carling Cup Final kick-off on Sunday 28th February to predict the score. If you guess correctly you could be in with a chance of winning a replica team shirt signed by the 2009/10 Carling Cup winning squad.

It is free to play the Carling Cup Final Predictor Challenge, just visit
www.carling.com/predictor. The competition closes at 2pm on February 28th.

The Carling.com website and the Carling Cup Final Predictor Challenge are only open to people over the legal drinking age.

To play the Carling Cup Final Predictor Challenge or find out more, visit
www.carlingcup.com. Terms and conditions apply.

'Travel via London', say match organisers


Wembley officials are urging United fans NOT to travel via certain routes via train on Sunday.

As many as 8,000 reds are expected to travel between Manchester to Wembley on the railway and match organisers are keen to ensure fans do not get stranded on the way or on the way home.

They are concerned that fans who get off Virgin West Coast Mainline services to Watford or Milton Keynes might not be able to board onward journeys.

This is because the next trains they would catch from Watford, Milton Keynes and Harrow and Wealdstone come from Birmingham and will most probably be full of Aston Villa supporters - and the problem could be even worse on the way home.

A Wembley spokesman said: "United fans are encouraged to travel to London Euston on the available train services.

“Do not use Watford Junction Station or Harrow & Wealdstone Station for your forward or return journey.

“It is very likely trains to and from those stations will be extremely full, especially after the game has finished. You will have more chance of getting on a train at London Euston.”

Go
here for Wembley's official travel advice.

On the way to the game, supporters are advised to catch one of seven direct trains from Piccadilly to Euston and then take the Tube to the stadium.

The full journey will take three hours and it will cost you £72.50 overall.

For full train travel options, including prices, times, fares and walking directions from the stations, see our Wembley travel guide here.

Premier League announce fixture changes

DATES and times for all four of United's April league fixtures have been changed due to television scheduling.

Chelsea

Home
Was: Saturday, April 3, 15:00
Is: Saturday, April 3, 12:45

Blackburn
Away
Was: Saturday, April 10, 15:00
Is: Sunday, April 11: 13:30


Manchester City
Away
Was: Saturday, April 17, 15:00
Is: Saturday, April 17, 12:45

Tottenham
Home
Was: Saturday April 24, 15:00
Is: Sunday, April 25, 14:00

See the full fixture list
here.

Wembley second ballot results out now


Reds who applied for tickets for this Sunday's Carling Cup final in the second ballot can find out now if they have got them.

All executive members, season ticket holders and One United members were invited to apply in the first ballot.

The ticket office gave priority to people who had bought tickets for all seven of United's home games this season.

Despite that, some people fitting that category missed out, so the club agreed to do a second ballot.

The results are out now. Check if you have tickets online or by calling 0161 868 800.

Those that have got tickets can collect them from 17:00 today (right up until the 20:00 kick off in tonight's game with West Ham) until noon on Friday

Out of a capacity of 90,000, United have got 31,750 tickets at the east end of the stadium priced at £86, £70, £54 and £38 and half those prices for under 16s and over 65s.

For more ticket news, plus a full travel guide, click here. A full pub guide will appear here later in the week.

United in the news


United chief David Gill reassures fans - but he is not the enemy within (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph)

Gill was responding to a letter from a season-ticket holder, Jim Nutter, articulating the anxiety of thousands of fans who feel "exploited by the avarice'' of the Glazers.
More.

Rodwell is staying at Everton, insists Moyes (David Maddock, The Mirror)

Manchester United have been monitoring the teenager for some years.
More.

Owen bows to Wayne Rooney's greatness from the sidelines (James Ducker, The Times)

Michael Owen could be forgiven for feeling the occasional pang of jealousy towards Wayne Rooney, but the one-time golden boy of English football had nothing but praise last night for the “local scally made good” and the present bearer of that particular crown.
More.

United and Burnley attend Eckersley transfer tribunal (ESPN)

Burnley will discover later this week how much they must pay Manchester United for defender Richard Eckersley.
More.

Ferguson sticks the boot in on football's flashy young stars (Barney Roney, The Guardian)

Under new rules Manchester United's junior players have been banned from wearing anything other than old-school black while on club business.
More.

Monday, February 22

Champions League final ballot announcement expected


UEFA are expected to announce the procedure for this year's Champions League Final public ballot within the next few days.

People will be able to visit uefa.com and fill out an online application for tickets to see the match, which will take place in Madrid on May 22.

There are 10,000 tickets available and UEFA will distribute them at random, with each 'winner' getting one or two tickets each.

For last season's Rome final, public ballot tickets cost either e200 or e90 plus a e33 administration fee.

Payment is taken only from credit cards. Last year, applicants were informed by March 31 by email if they had got tickets and tickets were sent out by April 27.

In 2006 and 2007, the ballot ran from the start to mid-February, but it got underway later after 2008.

In 2008, people could apply from February 28 to March 29.

Last year, the application period ran from March 2 to March 16.

We will bring you news of the application period when UEFA announce it.

Coach firms still taking Wembley bookings


Red Army Travel and National Express both have places remaining for this Sunday's trip to Wembley.

The Betty Bus has sold out of places, but you can still book either online or by phone with either of the other two.

Red Army Travel is running two coach and there are 15 places left, cost £30 per person.

They leaves the Bishop's Blaize on Chester Road at 08:00. To book, call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999 or email prem@redarmytravel.com

National Express is running coaches direct to the game from Chorlton Street Coach Station. Places cost £36 return and a £1 internet booking fee.

The coaches will leave at 08:15 and arrive at 12:15. Extra time pending, they will set off homeward at 17:30 and aim to arrive at 21:30. Book
here.
Click here for a full travel guide.
We will bring you all the latest Wembley travel news throughout this week. A pub guide follows towards the end of the week.
If you have any questions, email us at redsaway@hotmail.co.uk

United in the news


United and Liverpool FC in Charles N'Zogbia transfer sights (Pat McGatt, Click Lancashire)

Charles N'Zogbia has admitted he could be tempted to leave Wigan for a 'bigger' club over the summer.
More.

Milan manager Leonardo offered to quit following Manchester United defeat (Daily Mail)

The Brazilian coach responded to his boss who on Wednesday claimed that: 'Milan would be much better if those in charge allowed the team to play.'
More.

Ferguson says Rooney needs predator's instincts to match former Manchester United legends (Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail)

‘Where I hope he improves is with his predatory instincts in the penalty box. He’s done great this year."
More.

Moyes masterminds Everton win over Manchester United (Tony Barrett, The Times)

The script, as is so often the case when Wayne Rooney comes to town, appeared to have been written in advance.
More.

Sunday, February 21

Saturday, February 20

United in the news


Ferguson 'sympathetic' to Manchester United fans' anti-Glazer protests (Daniel Taylor, The Guardian)

"I've made my point to the supporters as long as it doesn't interrupt or interfere with the progress of the team and I think they realise that too."
More.

Glazer family set to defy protests and watch Manchester United in Carling Cup final (Mark Ogden, Daily Telegraph)

They (one pictured) are considering travelling from the United States for the clash against Aston Villa at Wembley on Feb 28.
More.

Ferguson wants new Scholes deal (Press Association)

"I would be happy to do something about Scholes' contract but there is nothing yet," said Ferguson.
More.

Moyes and Rooney feud over after United star apologises for book slur (David Maddock, The Mirror)

"Wayne actually phoned me a year ago to apologise for his book and say the things he had put down were wrong, and he'd made a mistake."
More.

Friday, February 19

Wembley (Aston Villa) travel guide


Aston Villa
Carling Cup Final
Wembley Stadium, London
Sunday February 28, kick off 15:00


Tickets

Out of a capacity of 90,000, United have got 31,750 tickets at the east end of the stadium priced at £86, £70, £54 and £38 and half those prices for under 16s and over 65s.

Rough breakdown:
£86 – 2,793
£70 – 12,990
£54 – 10,240
£38 – 5,215
£38 for disabled fans - 210

All tickets have been sold. Supporters who got tickets in the second ballot have until 12:00 on Friday to collect them from Old Trafford.

If you haven't got tickets, it's worth calling the ticket office on 0161 868 8000 on Friday to check for returns.

The Aston Villa end is sold out.

Weather

The good news is that Sunday's Carling Cup final will be played in the warmest temperature United have played in since November.

According to the BBC, it should be 8C/46F during the match against Aston Villa, which will kick off at 15:00.

However, heavy rain is predicted all day.



TV
The match will be shown live on BBC1 and BBC 1HD with the show starting at 14:00 and is due to finish at 17:20, penalties pending.

Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1HD, with the show starting at 14:45 and is due to finish at 17:00, penalties pending.

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
When it comes to parking there's five real options:

First, if you have money to burn, the Wembley Stadium car park has secure parking for £26.50 a car. Blue badge holders can book places for £16.50 a vehicle. Book both of these here. The car park opens at 07:00.
http://www.csparking.com/stadium/

Second, 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.

Third, 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.

Fourth, 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.

Fifth, go to one of these train stations, park your car and catch a special bus to the stadium. Chiltern Railways provide it, but they do not say how much it is to park or catch the bus. Go here for details.

· Warwick Parkway - CV35 8RH
· Banbury - OX16 5AB
· Bicester North - OX26 6EF
· High Wycombe - HP13 6NN

Trains - £64.70
It's too late to buy advanced tickets. Just by an off peak return on the day for this price.

Getting there

The official advice from the event organisers is this:

"United fans are encouraged to travel to London Euston on the available train services.

“Do not use Watford Junction Station or Harrow & Wealdstone Station for your forward or return journey.

“It is very likely trains to and from those stations will be extremely full, especially after the game has finished. You will have more chance of getting on a train at London Euston.”


Go here for more.

If you want to take that advice, it will cost you £66.20 for an off-peak return from Manchester to London and then £6.30 for a one-day Tube Travelcard costing £6.30. So that's £72.50 overall - £7.80 more than going more direct (see below).

Direct trains for Euston leave Piccadilly at: 08:05, 08:20, 09:20, 10:20, 10:35, 11:15 and 11:35.

It takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes. At Euston, follow the signs to Euston Square. It'll take you five minutes to walk.

Then catch the Tube on the Metropolitan Line for Wembley Park Tube Station. It'll take no more than 45 minutes from Euston.

But if you want to ignore the advice and go more direct, there are seven options. Six drop you at Wembley Central. One drops you at North Wembley. Go here to see them.


To the stadium from Wembley Park Tube Station

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.

Getting back

Again, if you want to take the event organiser's advice to stick to routes via London Euston, direct trains for Piccadilly leave Euston at: 17:15 then at 15, 35 and 55 past the hour until 20:35. Then 21:24 and 21:50. It takes roughly two hours and 15 minutes.

But if you want to ignore the advice and take the direct route home, you have nine options. See them here.

Match coaches
The Betty Bus is sold out. Places cost £35 and it leaves Chorlton Street at 06:30 and the Blaize at 06:45. Places cost £35.

Red Army Travel still has places left, costing £30 per person. It leaves the Bishop's Blaize on Chester Road at 08:00. To book, call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999 or email prem@redarmytravel.com

National Express is running coaches direct to the game from Chorlton Street Coach Station. Places cost £36 return and a £1 internet booking fee.

The coaches will leave at 08:15 and arrive at 12:15. Extra time pending, they will set off homeward at 17:30 and aim to arrive at 21:30. Book here.

Flights - £88.40

British Airways is offering one-way flights leaving Manchester for London Gatwick at 06:40 for £49.60 one way.

Coming home, bmi has a departure from London Heathrow at 20:50 for £38.80 one way.

Apart from that, the available flights are way too expensive.

From Gatwick, it takes 90 minutes to reach Wembley Stadium train station via Victoria, then across to the Tube and then via London Marylebone. An off-peak single ticket costs £11.

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.

Pub guide published on Friday at 09:00

Snow following reds around!


...but at least it's a tad bit warmer than Milan.

Late last week, we brought you news that snow was forecast for Milan before Tuesday's game - and now it's forecast in Liverpool tomorrow.

The BBC said light snowfall is predicted for Liverpool tomorrow though, unlike Milan, which saw temperatures in the minuses during the game, it will at least be 4C/39F tomorrow.

Betty Bus full up for Everton


No places remain on the Betty Bus for tomorrow's trip to Everton.

Red Army Travel still has places left. The coach leaves from the Bishop's Blaize at 10:30and places cost £15 per person.

To book, call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999 or email prem@redarmytravel.com

United in the news


Ferguson: All of my Manchester United defenders needed the hairdryer - Jonny Evans got it as he was nearest! (Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail)

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed how he tore into Jonny Evans at the San Siro on Tuesday night after watching his defence become ‘unnerved’ by Milan’s opening blitz in the Champions League.
More.

Milan wrong to play David Beckham in central midfield says Sir Alex (Daniel Taylor, The Guardian)

"I was surprised that they played David in central midfield; I thought that they'd have played him wide right."
More.

Premier League - Match facts: Everton v Manchester United (Yahoo Sports)

United have not dropped any points from winning positions this season.
More.

Milan president Berlusconi hits out at Leonardo over Man United tactics (Neil McLeman, The Mirror)

"Milan are a great team but only if they allow the players to play properly," he said.
More.

Tim Cahill's injury dents Everton charge (David Maddock, The Mirror)

The Blues entertain Manchester United on Saturday before travelling to Lisbon for the return with Sporting, and then round off the week with a trip to Spurs.
More.

Thursday, February 18

Wolves results out


Executive members and season ticket holders who applied for tickets to see United take on Wolves at Molineux on March 6 can now check if they have them.

Out of a capacity of 28,303 United have got 2,567 tickets in the Steve Bull Stand along the touchline.

They are priced at £38 for adults, £25 for over 65s and £17 for under 16s.

Check online or by calling 0161 868 8000.

A full travel and pub guide will appear here shortly.

Your Milan photos


We're only too happy to publish your flag and stadium photos taken at European and domestic away games so feel free to send them to redsaway@hotmail.co.uk

These two images were taken by Andrew Noone who has quite a tallent behind the lens. Thanks to him for letting us use these pictures. See more of his pictures here.

United in the news


United ready to snap up Joe Cole (Tony Banks, Daily Express)

Cole, 28, will be out of contract in the summer and clubs are now beginning to be alerted that his future is becoming increasingly uncertain.
More.

Berbatov's role causing headaches for Manchester United (James Ducker, The Times)

One Manchester United striker continues to go from strength to strength, but another must be wondering in which direction his Old Trafford career is headed.
More.

Darren Fletcher says Manchester United must remain wary of Milan (The Guardian)

"We have seen the quality Milan have got in their side. They are capable of creating chances and scoring goals so we will have to be on top form to get through."
More.

Ferdinand's form gives cause for concern (Ian Herbert, The Independent)

In the sober light of day, this did not look like the defence of prospective European champions.
More.

Moyes needs a fit Cahill to shore up midfield (Ken Guant, The Independent)

The Everton manager, David Moyes, will keep an eye on Tim Cahill's fitness ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Manchester United.
More.

Wednesday, February 17

United in the news


AC Milan 2 Manchester United 3: match report (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph)

Manchester United waited 52 years to score against AC Milan at San Siro and then, like the local trams, three come along in quick succession.
More.

Rooney gives Manchester United the edge over Milan (Kevin McCarra, The Guardian)

Throughout their previous visits, United had never scored against Milan, yet here they prevailed 3-2.
More.

Rooney looks a world-beater as striker puts United in command after lucky Paul Scholes strike wrong-foots Milan (Ian Lawton, Daily Mail)

The night before this extraordinary Champions League encounter, Sir Alex Ferguson dared suggest he could not quite see what all the fuss was about.
More.

Majestic Wayne Rooney ruins David Beckham’s reunion with Manchester United (James Ducker, The Times)

But despite having scored three away goals, United were left to rue an 85th-minute strike from Clarence Seedorf that gave Milan renewed hope.
More.

Leonardo baffled by loss (Sky Sports)

"We did not deserve to lose this match," said Leonardo.
More.

Tuesday, February 16

Travel with the Red Army


Red Army Travel is running coaches to United's next two domestic games.

For the Everton match on Saturday, the coach leaves from the Bishop's Blaize at 10:30and places cost £15 per person.

For the Carling Cup Final on February 28, the coach leaves the Blaize at 08:00 and places cost £30 per person.

To book, call 0161 998 4455 or 07545 39 1999 or email prem@redarmytravel.com

United in the news


Rooney driven by final agony (Martin Lipton, The Mirror)

But when Wayne Rooney runs out in the San Siro tonight, it will be about exorcising two of the ghosts that haunt him.
More.

AC Milan v Manchester United: match preview (Mark Ogden, Daily Telegraph)

Until their 3-2 home victory against Udinese last Friday, Milan had managed just two points from four games.
More.

The Becks factor! The less you see of David Beckham the better he gets... (Martin Samuel, Daily Mail)

He will have looked perfectly at home as the flashbulbs exploded and the microphones crowded the table in front of him at the Milanello sports facility, on the outskirts of Milan, yesterday.
More.

Vidic tries Fergie's patience with latest injury (David Anderson, The Mirror)

Wantaway defender Nemanja Vidic is continuing to try Sir Alex Ferguson's patience by claiming he can't play.
More.

Q&A: Can Aging AC Milan Defeat Manchester United? (Goal.com)

In terms of quality and quantity this Milan side is far inferior to the 2005 outfit.
More.

Majority back Champions League play-offs idea... but Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool set to oppose scheme (Simon Cass, Daily Mail)

Between 12 and 16 clubs are believed to be keen to explore the issue.
More.

Saturday, February 13

United in the news - 'Gill made to look stupid' special


David Gill confronted by fans over U-turn on Manchester United debts (Daniel Taylor, The Guardian)

In an argument that was recorded by other members of the audience and has been passed to the Guardian, Gill was asked if he remembered his comment in 2004 that "debt is the road to ruin".
More.

Listin to the audio
here.

Angry Glazer protest sees Manchester United chief executive David Gill clash with fan at Birmingham University (Daily Mail)

The row began when Gill was approached after a question-and-answer session about football finances.
More.

Gill in row with Manchester United fans (James Ducker, The Times)

According to the latest accounts published last month, United’s total debt for the year ended June 2009 stood at £716.5 million.
More.

Gill attacks the Glazers (Ed, United Rant)

Manchester United’s managing director David Gill has launched an extraordinary attack on the Glazer family. Oh wait a minute. That was 2004 and since then Gill’s annual remuneration has climbed 60 per cent to £1.8 million.
More.

Friday, February 12

Betty Bus full for Wembley

Organisers of the Betty Bus are no longer taking bookings for the trip to Wembley for the Carling Cup final after fans snapped up the last few places earlier today.
You can still book on National Express though. Details here.

Heavy snow forecast for Milan game


Reds heading to Milan before Tuesday's match at the San Siro are being warned to expect heavy snow on match day.

According to the BBC, after a cold but sunny Saturday, forecasters predict light snow for Sunday, sleet for Monday and heavy snow on Tuesday.

On the day of the game, the temperature is not expected to climb above 0C/32F with a low of -1C/30F.

Go here for our complete guide for reds going to the match.

If you have any questions about your trip, email us at redsaway@hotmail.co.uk

We will, in the mean time, keep you updated about any affected flights.

Thursday, February 11

Last chance for Wolves applications


Executive members and season ticket holders have one more day to apply for tickets to see United take on Wolves at Molineux on March 6, kick off 17:30.

Out of a capacity of 28,303 United have got 2,567 tickets in the Steve Bull Stand along the touchline.

They are priced at £38 for adults, £25 for over 65s and £17 for under 16s.

When Liverpool played there on January 26, they got 2,447 tickets and paid the same prices.

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

A full travel and pub guide will appear here shortly.

United in the news


Reckless Nani ruins Manchester United's chance to go top (Kevin McCarra, The Guardian)

United kept their poise in a match that could have been unbalanced by the red card for the visitors' winger Nani.
More.

Giggs sent for X-ray on arm injury suffered against Villa (Daily Telegraph)

Giggs injured himself in a clash with Steve Sidwell during the second half of United's 1-1 draw at Villa Park and immediately clutched his arm.
More.

Saha strikes to sink Chelsea and keep title race wide open (Peter Lansley and Matt Hughes, The Times)

The Manchester United old boy scored twice last night to inflict a rare defeat on Chelsea and keep his former club in the thick of the Barclays Premier League title battle.
More.

Analysis: Indiscipline Robs Red Devils Of Chance To Top Premier League Table (Goal.com)

Rio Ferdinand’s ‘frivolous’ appeal and Nani’s mindless lunge on Stiliyan Petrov both had an effect on the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
More.

Ferguson happy with work-rate (James Riach, Sky Sports)

"Everyone on the pitch worked their socks off and played fantastic football," he told Sky Sports.
More.

Rooney's business manager Stretford: I didn't need a deal with the United striker (Daily Mail)

Rooney's business manager Paul Stretford claims the bond between him and the player is such that the Manchester United striker has not signed a contract since 2006.
More.

Wednesday, February 10

Aston Villa travel guide

Aston Villa
FA Premier League
Villa Park
Wednesday, February 10, kick off


Tickets
Executive members and season ticket holders who applied for tickets to see United at Villa can now find out if they have got tickets.

United have got approximately 2,315 tickets priced at £43 for adults, £30 for over 65s and £24 for under 16s.

Last season, reds paid £35 for adults and £21 for over 65s and under 16s and the allocation was 2,800.

Liverpool got the same number last season and had it reduced by about 500 this season due, Aston Villa said, "to persistent standing" in the Liverpool end.

Aston Villa's press office has not replied to a Reds Away request to confirm the reason for United's allocation reduction.

Home end tickets are still on sale to people with a booking history with the Aston Villa ticket office.

Take a virtual tour of Villa Park here.

Weather

According to the BBC, it's going to be quite a chilly night when United visit Villa Park on Wednesday.

The temperature will peak at 4C/F in the day and will drop to -4C/F at night, so it will probably be in the region of 1C/F during the match.

The pitch should be in good condition after being in two days of sunshine.
TV
The match will not be shown live on English television, but you can watch it live via Veetle or Sopcast online. Check back here at 18:45 on match night for live video links.

BBC One has an edition of Match of the Day on from 22:45 to 12:05, which will feature highlights from the game, as well as from Arsenal v Liverpool and Chelsea v Everton. Details here.

Travel

Car £25
If you're using a satnav or an internet routeplanner, use the destination postcode B6 6HE for Villa Park.

From Manchester, the journey is 94 miles each way and should take just short of two hours each way, depending on what time you set off.


You should allow more time for your journey as the M6 gets very busy during the evening rush hour.

The general route is via M6 → M5 → A38 → A5127.

Parking - free
It can be tricky as there is traffic is excluded on parts of Trinity Road, Witton Road and Aston Road on matchday as detailed here.

There is also a residents-only parking zone in operation for a pretty fair distance from the ground, with traffic wardens dishing out £60 to people who breach it. The zone covered is here.

Helpfully, this map tells you the streets where it is free to park and which aren't covered by the residential parking zone.

We recommend Upper Sutton Avenue, Brooklyn Street, Hannover Close, Fentham Road, Arden Road and Freer Road.

As an example, for Arden Road, use the postcode B8 1DY. From there it's a short walk onto Witton Road and to the ground. It should take 10 minutes in all.

There are plenty of paid-for car parks charging £6 or so a space. Aston Villa Leisure Centre, on Aston Hall Road (BL6 7LB) charges £6 a space and the New Aston Social Club, also on Aston Hall Road (BL6 7JU) charges £5 but has fewer spots.

Train - £28.60
A return ticket bought on the day will cost you £28.60. It is too late to buy discounted tickets at this stage.

Getting there
Don't set off before 10:00 as rush hour fares will apply.

When you get to Piccadilly, ask for an off-peak day return to Witton, for £28.60 – it costs the same to Witton as it does to Birmingham.

Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street
From 10:07, direct trains leave at 07 and 27 past the hour. Journey time is roughly 90 minutes.

The last train you can get to make kick off comfortably leaves Piccadilly at 17:27.

Birminghan New Street to Witton
When you arrive at New Street, go to platform 1A (or 2A for the 18:17 departure).

Trains leave there for Witton at 17 and 47 past the hour all day. Journey time is 10 minutes.

You pass the stadium as you arrive into Witton. It's a three-minute walk to the United-end turnstiles. Follow your nose.


Getting back
Witton to Birmingham New Street
In theory (the timetable) there are supposed to be one small train departing at 57 past each hour...but in reality, that goes out of the window on a matchnight.

A queue usually forms on the approach to Witton Station and it's a case of getting on a train when possible. Expect it to take about 20 to 40 minutes after the match before you get back to the centre.


Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly

There are three services you can get home.

The first leaves at 21:57 and gets you back into Piccadilly at 23:37.

The second leaves at 22:28 and gets you back into Piccadilly at 23:57.

The third leaves at 23:09 and gets into Crewe at 00:16. You then leave Crewe at 00:44 and arrive into Piccadilly at 01:59. After that, you're waiting around until 05:00.

Coach - £17
United are running coaches to this game. They leave from the Old Trafford N2 car park at 16:30 and are due return by 00:30. Places cost £23 per person. To book, call the club on 0161 868 8000.

The Betty Bus leaves Chorlon Street Coach Station at 15:00 and the Bishop's Blaize pub in Chester Road at 15:15. Places cost £17. To book, email your name and phone number to redsaway@hotmail.co.uk

Red Army Travel is running a coach to this game. Places cost £20. For details of departure times and how to book, go here.

Public coach - £13 (plus £2.20 for onward train).
Megabus is not running coaches on the day of the game.

National Express is running coaches between Chorlton Street in Manchester to Digbeth High Street Coach Station in Birmingham.

There are seven coaches there and one back.

The outbound coaches leave at 07:00, 09:05, 10:10, 11:40, 12:50, 14:40 and 16:05. Apart from the last one, they cost £4 one way. Journey time ranges between 1:55 and 3:20.

The coach stop is a five-minute walk to Birmingham New Street station where you can get an onward train to Witton (see train section above). To get there, walk up Digbeth Road and onto Upper Dean Street. Then turn right onto Pershore Street and past Debenhams and The Holiday Inn.

A return from New Street to Witton will cost £2.20 on the day. Alternatively, a taxi to the ground will cost about £8.

On the way back, the coaches leaves at 22:30 and reaches Manchester at 01:10. It's £9 one way.

Taxi numbers
Atlas Cars on 0121 631 444 or Sky Radio Cars on 0121 551 2525.

A pub guide will appear here soon.