Man Utd with Fernandes and Maguire, take flight to Gatwick for Brighton match

MANCHESTER UNITED took to the skies for a 25-MINUTE flight to Gatwick ahead of their weekend clash with Brighton.

The Red Devils are visiting the South Coast side for their second fixture in the Premier League campaign.

But, rather than hopping on the train or braving the Bank Holiday traffic on the roads like most of their fans travelling down for the game, Erik ten Hag's side made the journey by chartered jet.

Manchester United stars arrived at Manchester Airport on Friday afternoon to board their blink-and-you'll-miss-it flight down to Gatwick.

The distance between the two transport hubs is exactly 176.01 air miles.

The squad will then likely make the last 30 miles of the journey via bus or train.

The squad were pictured leaving their cars at Manchester Airport before heading to a private terminal for their flight.

Among the stars pictured were Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire.

First-team coach Ruud van Nistelrooy was also among the squad as they arrived.

While Scott McTominay was also snapped on the phone amid ongoing speculation over his future.

The midfielder had been linked with a move to Fulham, however, that move could be off after Sander Berge's arrival at Craven Cottage.

It's not the first time United have opted for a short flight to an away game.

Back in 2021 the club copped a criticism for taking a TEN-MINUTE jet to Leicester.

On that occasion the club justified it by pointing to traffic on the M6.

United opted for the aerial route after the M6 was unexpectedly closed on Friday.

Ten Hag admitted that he is demanding his team to improve and has had the squad working on addressing problems during the week.

He told MUTV: "We have to improve and there are elements that should be better.

"We get a good review of the game and we took some problems out.

"We worked across the week on those problems, gave them solutions but also focused on our strengths. To even build further on those strengths.

"Most important is that we have the right team spirit. When I talk about the team, it's not about 11 starters.

"We need 16 players and to be ready. So we will name the squad and, from those 20, we need 16 players to do the job and win the game."

The Red Devils won their opening game of the Premier League campaign.

They beat Fulham 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a goal from summer-signing Joshua Zirkzee.

Their next test will come against the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.

Fabian Hurzeler's romped to a 3-0 victory over Everton in their first game of the season.

MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford