their main fan base of Kent Sussex Hampshire Surrey Essex Berkshire Hertford Wiltshire The M1 southbound Will be cocca.... Nortgh bound and the M62 will be as quiet as the grave.
However long it takes to get to Manchester, probably. There is, indeed, a fair amount of football tourism when they play at Old Trafford - the bus loads of Japanese ‘fans’ unloading outside the Superstore on match days is testament to that - but such is the demand for away tickets, they go instantly to long-term season-ticket holders. I think Derby to Manchester routes will be busy enough. Apologies if that doesn’t fit in with your narrative.
Just wondering why anyone would go M1...M62 to get to Manchester from Derby when its half the distance to go west to the M6 or use the A roads