Sky Blues On The Road - Manchester United

Newton Heath waited until 1892 to make their Football League debut. Ten years later, they hit financial problems and came back as Manchester United.

They went on to win every league and cup trophy bar the UEFA Cup. They are the current FA Premiership Champions
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THEIR WEBSITE
http://www.manutd.com/
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MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is at 8pm. There is a handful of tickets left. The game is close to being a 75,000 sell out.
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THE LAST TIME
This will be the 83rd meeting of the two sides. Coventry have won on twenty two occasions with seventeen draws.

City's last League Cup appearance at Old Trafford brought a 1-0 thanks to a Tommy English goal in 1980. City's last league win there was in in April 1989 again 1-0 thanks to a Gary Bannister goal and the last league game there was a 4-2 defeat in 2001.
__________________________________________________________________ THE MATCH OFFICIALS
The referee is Mike Halsey. His assistants are R.W.Martin and A.Williams . The fourth official is Andy Penn.
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TRAVEL
Official Coach all £10. The 65 coaches will depart the Arena at 4pm. Sky Blue Army coaches depart at 1pm. There are also coaches from a number of pubs and clubs in Coventry going to the game.

With over sixty coaches leaving from Car Park C at the ground to take over 3,000 City supporters to Old Trafford, those travelling on the official coaches are advised to ensure that you arrive at the coach departure point in plenty of time so that the coaches can leave as soon as they are full. Coaches will start leaving from 2.30pm but the last ones will not leave until 4pm, so children etc do not have to be taken out of school earlier than planned.

Coaches will not receive a police escort when they get to Manchester. However,after the game, the coaches will be escorted away from Old Trafford.

Those intending to park on Car Park C are warned that will be a £2.00 car park charge for fans using car park C tomorrow and £3 if you park at Christ the King.

BY ROAD
M6 to junction 19 then Stockport Road (A556) to Altrincham on the A56. From Altrincham,follow Manchester signs and ground on your left after six miles.

Travel onto the M60 by the most appropriate route and then leave at the nearest junction to you.

Select from Junctions 7, 9 and 12 as follows:

Junction 7, recommended route from Clockwise M60 (increasing junction numbers). Leave the Motorway at Junction 7 to join the A56 Manchester bound. Remain on the A56 following the signs for Manchester United. Turn left into Sir Matt Busby Way.

Car parking is on the right in front of the stadium.

Junction 9, recommended route from Anti-Clockwise M60 (decreasing junction numbers). Leave the M60 at Junction 9 and join Parkway (A5081) towards Trafford Park. At the first island take the 3rd exit onto Village Way and remain on this road until the next island (controlled by traffic lights). At this island take the second exit and then join Wharfside Way. Turn right at the junction with Sir Matt Busby Way, car parking is on the left in front of the stadium.

Junction 12, alternative route from Anti-Clockwise M60 (decreasing junction numbers). Leave the M60 at Jtn 12 for M602 (Salford/Manchester). At the end of the M602 (Jtn3) follow signs for Salford Quays and Trafford Park. At the roundabout turn right into Trafford Road (A5063). On the bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal, keep in the right hand lane so that you can turn right at the next set of lights and follow the road round to Trafford Wharf Road.

Turn left at the next set of lights onto Waters Reach, with the Golden Tulip Hotel on your left. Continue through the lights onto Sir Matt Busby Way. (Please seek alternative on matchdays, when Sir Matt Busby Way is closed).

The above directions should be followed for cars with the exception that Sir Matt Busby Way is closed to vehicular traffic with the exception of Car Park Permit holders who can then gain access via the route from Wharfside Way only (there is no access from the A56).

Visitors who travel by car are advised to use official, secure, Car Parks which are identified by brown location signs. These are located on all approaches to the stadium and you are advised that the use of these car parks reduces the potential for your vehicle to be the victim of crime.

On Match Days there is a Residents Parking Scheme in place on roads in the immediate vicinity of the Stadium and you are advised that vehicles parking in contravention of the scheme will be dealt with by the Local Authority which may lead to the clamping or towing away of the vehicle. Likewise any vehicle found to be parked in contravention of 'No Waiting' regulations may be similarly dealt with.

Vehicles which are left indiscriminately and causing an obstruction will be removed by the police and only returned on payment of a substantial fee. A Fixed Penalty Notice will also have been issued for which the driver will be liable.

Away Coaches travelling on Match Days should follow the directions given above from Junction 9, M60 regardless of their direction of approach (unless otherwise advised by Greater Manchester Police) and are allocated to Car Park B on Sir Matt Busby Way. No police escort will be given to the ground but an escort will be afforded for travel away after the game.

Home Coaches are allocated to Car Park E1, access to which is gained off Elevator Road which is located off Wharfside Way 400 meters after the junction with Village Way when travelling towards the ground.

It is important for coach operators to understand that Greater Manchester Police will report any transgressions of Traffic Commissioner Regulations to the authorities and will also take appropriate action should breaches of Traffic Law be determined.

METROLINK: The Metrolink service operates a frequent service from the City Centre (including Victoria & Piccadilly Stations) to Old Trafford Station which is situated within a 5 minute walk of the football ground. Metrolink enquiries: 0161 205 2000

TRAINS: North Western Trains operate a service from City Centre Stations direct to Old Trafford Stadium where the station is located alongside the South Stand. Due to the varied kick off times, it is advisable to telephone National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for train times.
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TEAM NEWS
Iain Dowie had no new injuries worries. But may change the side which lost at Ipswich. Several players may be rested for the far more important league game against Charlton on Saturday. This is something Manchester United are doing. The Reds will field a virtual reserve team with the likes of Dani,Anderson,Saha,John O'Shea and Wayne Rooney all getting a run-out.
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ON THE GAME
Iain Dowie told Sky Blue World: "Of any of the ties we could have got, Manchester United away sticks out as one of, if not the toughest draw we could have got. "Whichever team they play, we know they are going to pass the ball around and move to try and disturb our shape and they are also at their most dangerous when you are attacking them, as they can really hit you on the break with pace."

Tim Flowers said: "It is a reward for the lads' efforts after having two good results in potential banana skins against Notts County and Carlisle. "So now they go to probably the biggest stage in world football, so fill your boots. "You don't want to be knocked out by a team in a lower division and we have managed to avoid that so far. "This is the ultimate reward and I guess some of our lads have been there before and some haven't. "It will be an eye-opener, that's for sure.

"We are taking 11,000 supporters so it will be a good day out for them and we want to put on a great show and try to make those people proud of us. "It is wonderful if you are a player and if you don't want to play there, you might as well pack up and go home.

"It is a magnificent venue and great atmosphere and the message to our boys will be to go out and enjoy themselves. "Play with pride and to the game plan but, ultimately, enjoy it."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ WEDNESDAY FIXTURES
Villa v Forest, Blackburn v Birmingham, Fulham v Bolton, Hull v Chelsea, Sheff Wed v Everton, Tottenham v Middlesbrough, West Ham v Plymouth