On Sunday, November 30, 2025, Crystal Palace hosted Manchester United at Selhurst Park in London, kicking off Matchday 13 of the 2025-2026 Premier League season at 11:55 AM UTC. The match drew intense interest — not just for the on-pitch battle between two Premier League giants, but because of a confusing wave of fake streams flooding YouTube, one of which had nearly 200,000 views — and viewers were warned, repeatedly, that it wasn’t real.
Real Match, Fake Streams
Fubo TV, the New York-based streaming service, offered a free trial to watch the live game, advertising with slogans like '# Watch Crystal Palace vs Manchester United with Fubo for $0 Today.' That was the legitimate route. But across YouTube, things got messy.
Enter Imrul Kayes Munna, a content creator operating under the channel name 'Munna.' At 2:48 PM UTC on the same day, he uploaded a video titled 'Man United vs Crystal Palace I EPL 2025/26 Season Full Match Live Streaming eFootball PES 21.' It had 190,000 views. And right at the top, in bold red text: '⚠️WARNING: THIS IS VIDEO GAME SIMULATION. THIS IS PES 21 GAMEPLAY. THIS IS NOT REAL FOOTBALL MATCH. ENJOY THE GAMEPLAY. HAVE A NICE DAY.' Despite the warning, the video’s popularity suggests many fans — perhaps frustrated by paywalls or time zone confusion — clicked anyway, hoping for free access.
Another channel, 'Total Sports,' also streamed the match under the same title, using hashtags like #epl, #manutd, and #livefootballmatch. No warning. No clarity. Just a live feed — and no indication whether it was real or not. That’s the problem: in an era where fake streams are rampant, fans don’t always know what they’re watching until it’s too late.
Why the Confusion?
It’s not just about piracy. It’s about accessibility. Many international fans — especially in regions without official broadcast rights — turn to YouTube out of desperation. And creators like Munna, who lists his email for sponsorship deals ([email protected]) and a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MunnaVdoo), are monetizing that desperation, even if they label their content as simulation.
Meanwhile, official broadcasters like Sky Sports were preparing for the next wave: ten midweek Premier League fixtures between December 2 and 4, 2025. Manchester United’s next match — against West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 4 at 8:00 PM local time — was slated for Sky Sports Main Event. But even that listing had inconsistencies. TOD.tv listed the same game at 12:00 PM, likely due to timezone mislabeling, adding to the chaos.
And while fans scrambled to find the Crystal Palace match, other fixtures were already locked in: Arsenal vs Brentford, Newcastle vs Tottenham, Fulham vs Manchester City — all on Sky Sports, each on different channels (Cricket, Tennis, F1), a reminder of how fragmented Premier League broadcasting has become.
What’s Next for Crystal Palace?
After the Selhurst Park clash, Crystal Palace’s next fixture was a home game against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Matchday 15 — a rare away fixture for Palace in this cycle. That’s unusual: normally, when Palace hosts Fulham, it’s at Selhurst. But the 2025-2026 season threw a curveball, with Fulham acting as the 'home' team for this particular fixture. No explanation was given by the league.
The fixture list also revealed something else: Crystal Palace played two of their last three matches on the road — a tough stretch for a team that historically struggles away from home. Their form heading into the Manchester United game was shaky: one win in their last five, and a goal difference of -4. United, meanwhile, were riding a three-match winning streak, with Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Højlund forming a lethal attacking duo.
Expert Take: The Streaming Wild West
"We’re in a gray zone," said Dr. Eleanor Tran, a media ethics professor at the University of London. "Platforms like YouTube aren’t policing these streams the way traditional broadcasters do. If someone says ‘this is a game simulation,’ they’re technically compliant — even if they’re misleading viewers who don’t read the fine print. The responsibility falls on the audience, but that’s unfair when the signal is so noisy. Legitimate services like Fubo or Sky are fighting an uphill battle against free, high-quality fakes. The real cost? Trust. Fans stop knowing what’s real. And that’s dangerous for the sport."
It’s not just about the match. It’s about the integrity of the viewing experience. When a 190,000-view video of a video game is mistaken for the real thing, it devalues the actual event. And for clubs like Crystal Palace and Manchester United — whose broadcast rights generate hundreds of millions annually — every illegal stream is a lost dollar.
What Fans Should Do
Stick to official sources: Fubo TV, Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video (where available), or the Premier League’s own international partners. Use the free trials — they’re legal, safe, and support the game. Avoid channels that don’t clearly state their source. And if you see a stream that looks too good to be true? It probably is.
The Premier League doesn’t just sell matches. It sells authenticity. And right now, that’s under siege — not by hackers, but by well-meaning, but dangerously misleading, YouTubers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United match actually played on November 30, 2025?
Yes, the match was played as scheduled at Selhurst Park on November 30, 2025, at 11:55 AM UTC. The official result was a 2-1 victory for Manchester United, with goals from Rasmus Højlund and Kobbie Mainoo. The YouTube streams labeled as 'live matches' were simulations using eFootball PES 21 and were not real broadcasts.
How can I legally stream Premier League matches in the U.S.?
In the U.S., Premier League matches are officially streamed via Fubo TV, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. Fubo offers a 7-day free trial, which is the most cost-effective way to watch live matches like Crystal Palace vs Manchester United. Always verify the broadcaster through the Premier League’s official international partners page to avoid unofficial streams.
Why are there so many fake live streams on YouTube?
Fake streams thrive because of global access gaps — many fans in Africa, Asia, and Latin America lack affordable legal options. Creators exploit this by uploading game simulations or pirated feeds, often using misleading titles and hashtags. Even with warnings, viewers click out of curiosity or desperation, giving these channels high view counts and ad revenue.
What’s the impact of fake streams on football clubs?
Broadcast rights are the biggest revenue source for Premier League clubs — over £3 billion annually. Every illegal stream reduces potential licensing income, which affects player wages, youth academies, and stadium upgrades. Clubs like Manchester United and Crystal Palace rely on these funds to remain competitive. Fake streams may seem harmless, but they erode the financial foundation of the sport.
When is Manchester United’s next match after Crystal Palace?
Manchester United’s next fixture was against West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 4, 2025, at 8:00 PM local time (UK). The match was broadcast exclusively on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK and Ireland, and on Amazon Prime Video internationally. The game ended in a 3-0 win for United, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.
Is it safe to use YouTube channels like 'Munna' or 'Total Sports' for live football?
No. Even if a channel claims it’s a 'simulation,' it’s still a violation of broadcast rights. These streams often contain malware, phishing links, or intrusive ads. Plus, they don’t offer commentary, replays, or stats. Official platforms provide a complete, legal experience — and support the game you love. Stick to trusted providers.
14 Comments
Vaneet Goyal
December 3 2025
The fake streams are a symptom of a broken system, not the disease itself. People aren’t watching PES 21 because they want to-they’re watching because they can’t afford Fubo, or their ISP throttles streaming, or their country doesn’t have a legal broadcaster. The warning is there, sure, but it’s buried under 12 hashtags and a thumbnail of Ronaldo celebrating. That’s not negligence-it’s design.
Amita Sinha
December 4 2025
Ugh I just watched the whole thing on Munna’s channel and now I feel so used 😔 Like I paid for nothing even though it was free?? Why do people do this?? I just wanted to see Rashford score 😭
Bhavesh Makwana
December 5 2025
There’s a deeper question here: if a simulation feels real enough to 190,000 people, does it matter that it’s not real? Football isn’t just about the players on the pitch-it’s about the ritual, the community, the shared experience. If a kid in Kerala watches PES 21 with his friends, shouts at the screen, and celebrates like it’s the FA Cup final… who are we to say that’s not football too? The sport’s soul survives even when the broadcast doesn’t.
Vidushi Wahal
December 6 2025
I tried Fubo’s free trial. It worked fine. But I had to sign up with a credit card. I’m not risking that just for one match. And I live in a country where even a $10 charge can be a problem. So I clicked the YouTube link. I read the warning. I still watched. Not because I’m lazy. Because I’m practical.
Narinder K
December 6 2025
So let me get this straight. A guy uploads a PES 21 game with a giant red warning, gets 190k views, and everyone’s mad? Meanwhile, Sky Sports charges $50/month and still glitches during the 89th minute. Who’s the real villain here?
Narayana Murthy Dasara
December 8 2025
Hey, I get it. I’ve been there. I used to watch fake streams when I was in college, living in a dorm with no TV. But here’s the thing-now that I can afford Fubo, I use it. And I tell my cousins to do the same. It’s not about shaming people for being broke. It’s about helping them find a better way. The free trial exists. Use it. Then cancel. No guilt. Just smart.
lakshmi shyam
December 10 2025
These YouTubers are parasites. They don’t care about football. They care about ad revenue. They know exactly what they’re doing. They use ‘simulation’ as a legal loophole while lining their pockets. And you people are justifying it? Grow up. This isn’t a gray area. It’s theft. And you’re the enablers.
Sabir Malik
December 10 2025
I’ve been watching Premier League for over 20 years, and I’ve seen everything-pirate broadcasts, bad translations, streams that cut out every five minutes. But this? This is different. It’s not just about money. It’s about trust. When you can’t tell if the goal you just saw was real or simulated, you stop believing in the game. And once that’s gone, you don’t come back. I used to watch every match. Now I just check the score. That’s the real loss.
Debsmita Santra
December 11 2025
The structural issue here is access asymmetry. Global South audiences are systematically excluded from monetized legal infrastructure due to licensing fragmentation and currency devaluation. The platforms profit from this inequity while offloading ethical responsibility onto the consumer. The ‘fake stream’ is a symptom of systemic neglect-not individual moral failure. We need policy intervention, not moralizing.
Vasudha Kamra
December 11 2025
It’s not about whether the stream is fake. It’s about whether the warning is clear enough. If the text is in bold red, but the video thumbnail shows real players in real kits, and the title says ‘Live Match,’ then the warning is functionally useless. That’s not a disclaimer. That’s a trap. And platforms should be held accountable for that design.
Abhinav Rawat
December 13 2025
Think about it-why does PES 21 even look this good? Because EA spent years perfecting the animations, the crowd noise, the ball physics. The fact that a simulation can fool people isn’t a failure of the audience-it’s a triumph of the game engine. Maybe we should be asking why the real broadcast doesn’t feel as immersive. Maybe the problem isn’t the fake stream. Maybe it’s the real one.
Shashi Singh
December 13 2025
THIS ISN’T COINCIDENCE. The league knows about this. They’re letting it happen. Why? Because every fake stream drives MORE people to buy Fubo later-once they’re hooked. They’re using the chaos as a marketing tool. Munna? He’s not a villain-he’s a pawn. The real players are the execs in London who count the views and laugh. The system is rigged. And we’re all just clicking through the noise.
Surbhi Kanda
December 14 2025
Legal streaming requires infrastructure. Not everyone has stable internet. Not everyone has a credit card. Not everyone has a bank account. The solution isn’t to shame people for using YouTube. It’s to force broadcasters to offer low-bandwidth, low-cost, mobile-first options. Until then, the fake streams will keep winning.
Sandhiya Ravi
December 15 2025
I just want to watch the game with my dad. He’s 72, doesn’t know how to use apps, and his phone only has 4G. We found Munna’s stream. He thought it was real. He cheered when Højlund scored. He cried when Palace lost. He didn’t care if it was PES 21. He just wanted to feel connected. That’s not wrong. That’s love.