Football fans tuning into Manchester United vs Leicester City on Wednesday evening were met with an unfortunate surprise.
With the Carabao Cup clash only shown on SkySports+, some viewers accessed the channel only to find that a technical issue was blocking the broadcast, with many venting their anger on social media.
"Pay all that money and I can't even watch the United game," wrote @UltimaterTV. "Give them a fortune a month and can't see the United game due to a technical fault," added @IAmJedge. "Might be a technical fault in my direct debit next month." And @Cathor45 responded: "Absolute joke!"
It soon emerged that viewers with Smart TVs and laptops were the most susceptible to the issue, which also affected other Carabao Cup games and was rectified partway through the first half.
A member of the Sky Help team responded to one disgruntled supporter with an apology, which read: "Thanks for getting in touch. I apologise sincerely for the problems you are experiencing.
"We are aware that this is a wide issue that most customers are impacted by. Rest assured we have the right teams working hard to resolve this as quickly as possible."
United supporters felt particularly aggrieved at missing the start of the match due to it being Ruud van Nistelrooy's first game as interim manager. The Red Devils legend has taken over from Erik ten Hag until Ruben Amorim is unveiled as his full-time replacement.
And making things even more frustrating for fans was the first-half goals fest which unfolded at Old Trafford. Casemiro unleashed a long-range wonder-strike in the 15th minute, and then Alejandro Garnacho kick-started a spell of five goals in 20 minutes.
Bruno Fernandes got in on the act with a deflected free-kick after Bilal El Khannouss had halved the deficit for the Foxes. And Casemiro lashed in his second to build up a three-goal cushion, before Conor Coady cut that to two with a goal in first-half stoppage time.
United were more measured after the break, with Fernandes rounding the goalkeeper for his second of the game and putting the cherry on top of a 5-2 victory.
Van Nistelrooy could remain in temporary charge for the next three games - against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester. United bosses wanted to welcome Amorim as soon as possible, but the Portuguese is expected to serve a 30-day notice period before leaving Sporting in November.
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