Cricket fans are fuming after Metrolink confirmed there will be NO trams at all running from the city centre to Old Trafford on the final day of the Ashes Test.
The Manchester Evening News understands at least 20,000 tickets have been sold for the fifth day of the fourth Test between England and Australia, with thousands more potentially expected on the gate.
The match is finely poised with Australia more than 250 runs ahead but wobbling in their second innings.
It could mean the stage is set for another thrilling climax at Old Trafford.
But cricket supporters are being advised to plan their journey in advance and expect delays due to a series of planned improvement works on Metrolink on Sunday.
Essential engineering work is taking place in the Cornbrook area affecting the Airport, Altrincham, East Didsbury and Eccles lines.
Crucially, it means trams are running from Altrincham to Old Trafford, but not from the city centre.
Instead, a bus replacement service will be in place.
At Piccadilly Gardens, it will be stopping on London Road going towards Piccadilly station where it will stop again on Fairfield Street.
For full information on the replacement service visit the TfGM website.
The shuttle bus will also stop on Whitworth Street West outside the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.
Travellers are being advised they must still buy a ticket or touch-in and touch-out at the closest tram stops when using the replacement bus services.
Drivers are also being warned there are road closures in place around Manchester United's ground Old Trafford.
Both Transport for Greater Manchester and Metrolink have been active on social media encouraging Ashes fans to use public transport, but there has been little mention of the changes affecting Sunday's match.
Metrolink tweeted: "Planned engineering works mean that there will be changes to our services this weekend. Please allow more time for your journey. "
In another tweet Metrolink said the engineering works are related to the completion of the Trafford Line which is due to open in 2020.
Several people took to social media to criticism the timing of the engineering work.
John Yiasoumis tweeted to Metrolink: "Am I right in reading that there are no trams operating from Old Trafford to the city centre despite 20000 people having a ticket to the cricket?"
Metrolink replied: "Hi John. That's correct - there’s never a good time to carry out this kind of work with Greater Manchester being so busy, however, it is critical to enable us to open the new Trafford Park Metrolink line next year."
Another fan Jack tweeted: "The biggest cricket event is won or lost at Old Trafford on Sunday, how does Manchester celebrate? By putting a replacement bus service on for the Metrolink.
"I’m looking at another Lancashire season ticket next year, I’ll definitely be buying a parking space!"
"What an absolute farce!" he added.
Work on the £350m new Trafford Park Metrolink line began in 2016 and is expected to be completed next year.
Once finished, the new line will run from the existing stop at Pomona to a newly created one at the Trafford Centre.
TfGM has plans to eventually run trams from Manchester city centre to the Trafford Centre through an improved stop at Crumpsall.
The aim of the route, which is mostly off road, is aimed at getting drivers out of their cars and onto the tram in a bid to ease congestion.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has previously described it as 'a real alternative' for motorists.
