MANCHESTER United fans will have to travel the second furthest out of the top Premier League clubs before the end of the year, new research has revealed.
Their neighbours Manchester City are not far behind in the air miles chart as the extent of away support commitment has been laid bare.
The findings come from a study carried out by football experts at Flashscore, who revealed the amazing distances covered by teams and their fans as they fight for silverware on four fronts.
They focused on the English clubs taking part in European competitions this season – calculating away trips up to and including December 31, 2024.
City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are in the new-look Champions League, United and Tottenham in the Europa League, while Chelsea are battling it out in the Europa Conference League.
And while both Manchester Club will rack up some impressive trips, it is Enzo Maresco’s side who will venture the furthest – a staggering 5,954 miles.
United, meanwhile, will cover 2,965 miles in their seven away fixtures, while City have 10 games on the road which will see them trek 2,751 miles.
Charlie Ford from Flashscore said: “The commitment and passion of away fans never fails to amaze.
“They give up lots of time and spend plenty of money supporting their teams through thick and thin – it’s what makes football so amazing.
“But you could forgive Chelsea’s travelling army from being a bit annoyed by what the rest of this year holds in terms of following the Blues.
“Out of 11 away games, those two gruelling Europa Conference League trips will certainly rack up the air miles. They also face German side Heidenheim, a 497-mile journey.
“On top of that, they’re on the road at Newcastle (249 miles) and Everton (179 miles) in the Premier League.”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will have to negotiate tricky trips to Turkish giants Fenerbahce (1,684 miles) and Viktoria Plzen (718 miles) in the Czech Republic if he is to survive in the Old Trafford hotseat.
Premier League champions Manchester City are next up with 2,751 miles of trains, planes and automobiles.
Pep Guardiola’s side’s longest journey is 1,069 miles to face Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on November 5.
Arsenal will also play at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Champions League action, but their five London derbies before the end of the year will make Gunners fans very happy.
Liverpool’s European draw has been relatively kind, with an 836-mile schlep to Girona in Spain their longest adventure.
Villa supporters – getting their first-ever taste of Champions League football this season – will only have to venture 1,439 miles to cheer on Unai Emery’s men before New Year’s Eve.
Flashscore’s Charlie Ford added: “There has been plenty of talk recently about the football schedule being too hectic. Stars including Rodri and Alisson have stated that players will get injured and burn-out if nothing is done to change it.
“Throw into this mix international breaks, with some players travelling across the globe numerous times, and it gives you a good idea of what they face.
“But as far as fans are concerned, nothing is going to stop them from following their teams home and away.
“You simply have to salute their commitment when faced with some of these fixtures.”
Total miles travelled by the end of 2024
Chelsea – 5,954 (11 away fixtures)
Man Utd – 2,965 (7)
Man City – 2,751 (10)
Liverpool – 2,489 (9)
Tottenham – 2,339 (7)
Arsenal – 2,141 (10)
Aston Villa – 1,439 (8)
* Flashscore calculated the distances from a team’s home stadium to the grounds of opponents ‘as the crow flies’.
Featured image by Mark Strickland
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