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Manchester United to offer fans FREE coach travel for upcoming away game
Danny Jones
Manchester United have offered free coaches to away fans hoping to travel to their game against AFC Bournemouth.
The fixture against The Cherries isn’t here just yet, with four other matches before then – two home and two away – but many supporters have already been fretting about how they’re going to get there.
With a 252-mile trek and what could be upwards of a 10-hour round trip, there and back, the club has informed the travelling ‘Stretford Enders‘ that they will be arranging at least some of the nearly 1,300 members of the fan base to travel down south to the Vitality Stadium.
Although not entirely unheard of, it’s nevertheless been praised as a classy touch and way of recognising some of their most dedicated support year-round, especially after a turbulent few weeks.
🚌 We are offering free coach travel for fans who are travelling to our match at Bournemouth on Friday 20 March ❤️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 19, 2026
Set to be free of charge for anyone with a valid away ticket next month, the gesture will at least make life a little bit easier for Reds heading to the coastal town at the end of an already long working week.
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Scheduled to take place at 8pm on 20 March, Bournemouth vs Man United is the late kick-off, but the first of that Premier League round (gameweek 31).
With limited transport options via both public and supporters group networks, they’ve decided to step in and aid those willing to make the journey.
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They also seemed to make what some have perceived as a dig at the division, noting that “this fixture follows an unusually high number of games that have been played midweek this season.”
Writing a lengthy statement, they said: “The club, listening to the views raised by supporters in both the Fan Advisory Board and Fans’ Forum, has raised concerns in meetings with senior counterparts at both the Premier League and broadcasters in recent months…
Acknowledging the “impact scheduling decisions have on match-goers and urging them to make earlier decisions”, they are one of many teams that have urged the footballing body to adjust their plans where possible and afford fans extra time to plan.
With both recognised supporters’ trusts and other fan groups alike having played a crucial role in a number of key observances of late, it only feels fitting that they be rewarded for their commitment.
This push to give more consideration to those putting in the hard yards off the pitch also, crucially, includes giving them a longer period to save.
It was only back in January 2025 that a finance expert detailed how, all told, home and away fans can spend upwards of £3,000 supporting their team. Staggering sums.
That being said, director of fan engagement Rick McGagh went on to add: “We believe we have the best and loudest away following in the country, and we wanted to do something for our fans to show we appreciate their dedication and support.
“When games are moved from a weekend to a Friday or Monday night, we know it impacts fans, meaning they often have to take time off work and face more expensive and greatly restricted travel options.
“We continue to work with our FAB and Fans’ Forum reps and share their concerns to broadcasters and the Premier League. We hope this gesture helps our fans travelling down to Bournemouth for the game, and, on behalf of the players and everyone at the club, we thank them for their continued support.”
As an added bonus, they also detailed that besides free coach travel to the far-flung game, those attending the Bournemouth game will also be entered into a raffle to win a United shirt signed by one of the men’s first-team.
While fans must organise their transport to arrive at Old Trafford, with no alternative pick-up or drop-off points, all the details on how to book the free coach travel will be shared with successful applicants, along with confirmation of their place in the away ballot.
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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Mr Ignavy (via Geograph)
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New ‘warm and funny’ animated children’s show set in Manchester airs on CBeebies
Emily Sergeant
A brand new animated children’s sitcom that’s set in modern-day Manchester has now started airing on CBeebies.
Rafi the Wishing Wizard follows seven-year-old Rafi Martin, a determined young wizard learning to use her very own wishing wand, but there’s one twist – she can only make one wish a day, and it always runs out, usually when she least expects it.
Set in present-day Manchester, the magical series follows Rafi as she encounters everyday situations with a magical twist.
From wishing for rocket shoes on the way to school, and wishing you were mermaids in the swimming pool, to wishing her bed could fly, and for bigger hands to save more goals in football, the adorable new show takes life’s ordinary moments and turns them into something extraordinary.
Oh, but that’s not without a heap of magical chaos along the way.
With the help of her two dads, Jake (Daddy) and Dash (Dad), her best friends Ruby and Finn, and her grumpy pet cat Deborah, Rafi begins to realise that the real magic in life isn’t the wish, it’s her family, friends, and community.
According to the BBC, at its core, Rafi the Wishing Wizard is a classic family sitcom driven by ‘magic, surprise, and plenty of heart’.
Another thing that makes Rafi different, according to the show’s creators, is that she’s just a normal kid in Manchester… but one who just happens to be a wishing wizard.
“It’s that mix of the ordinary and the extraordinary that gives the show its spark,” the BBC said in a statement.
All 26 episodes of Rafi the Wishing Wizard are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, or watch on CBeebies – with each episode only being seven-minutes long, making it ideal for younger attention spans and easier to spot all of the Manchester landmarks.
Executive Producer Tom Cousins says setting the show in Manchester was a ‘deliberate choice’.
“It’s a city that’s close to my heart, but it also gives makes the world feel specific and familiar to UK audiences.”
Beth Gardiner, who is the Commissioning Editor for CBeebies, added: “We are very proud that this series is set in Manchester and know that it will resonate with children and families across the country. This series celebrates the warmth of family and friends and shines a light on our audiences’ wishes and the magic of everyday moments.”
Read more:
- Manchester’s ‘super duper’ family festival full of FREE activities is back this weekend
- CBeebies is bringing its popular Bedtime Stories show live to Manchester for free
- Science and Industry Museum announces new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’
Rafi the Wishing Wizard is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, or watch on CBeebies live, and you can find all episodes here.
Featured Image – CBeebies / BBC
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