Travel to the ground on the tram is fine as its reasonably staggered , otherwise fans wouldn't do it .Its a football ground with a 50 000+ crowd , so it will be busy and crowded . Like any other transit system. I've never had a problem getting the tram to City, and I cut it it fine. Maybe don't go from Pic/Pic Gardens.
City have one tram stop . Its a 20 minute , flat easy walk back into town , thousands do it . I wouldn't attempt the tram afterwards , because of the long queues .
There's a whole choice of express buses going to further afield areas in Greater Manchester, north Cheshire , etc waiting on Ashton New Road and the Phillips Park side , as well as loads of buses waiting to take fans into town generally on Ashton New Road . One of my kids uses these express buses which are a joint arrangement between Bee Network and Manchester City to West Didsbury . I think it goes onto Wythenshawe , could be wrong. He says its a good service.
The transport for fans , regardless of the queues for the tram is getting better. . The ground is nearer to town than Maine Road .
If you've done Arsenal , Tottenham , Chelsea , Brighton , United , Liverpool , Everton, Forest , Leeds, Villareal away you'll get what Im saying .