Fans could yet be allowed in to final two games for United and City

PREMIER League CEO Richard Masters says he is hopeful of allowing United and City fans to attend the final two rounds of fixtures this season.

Under the roadmap out of lockdown announced by the government last month, up to 10,000 fans will be able to attend sporting events from May 17, which opened up the realistic possibility of supporters attending the final day on May 23.

That would see City supporters able to attend their final match of the season against Everton at the Etihad - where they could be presented with the Premier League trophy - but see United supporters forced to watch their side’s trip from Wolves from home.

Yet, with some crucial games set to take place on the final day, there have been concerns that allowing fans into the final round of fixtures will disrupt the sporting integrity and put away clubs who had been forced to play their final home match behind closed doors at a disadvantage.

To counteract this, the Premier League are set to shift a round of fixtures to the final midweek of the season in order to allow clubs scheduled to be away on the last day a chance to play in front of their own fans.

Despite reports the penultimate round of fixtures would be moved, which would see United fans able to attend Old Trafford for the game against Fulham, it is yet to be determined which games will be moved.

“The government’s road map is really welcome, it sets out a plan for

the return of supporters,” Masters said. “Hopefully the final two of the fixtures of our season will have up to 10,000 supporters in them all. We have got to get past those first initial steps in the roadmap to get there, but it will be a fantastic finale to the end of our season.”

Looking ahead to next season, Masters said the goal is for clubs to be able to play in front of capacity crowds from the start of the campaign, with the government’s roadmap indicating that Covid-19 restrictions could be removed from June 21.

He said: “First step is to see that trophy presented on May 23, hopefully in front of 10,000 fans somewhere in this country. Beyond that is full stadia by the beginning of next season. There is a lot of water to pass under the bridge until that can happen, but that is our goal.”

Fans could be back at Old Trafford this season