Parking close may be very difficult and the tram stops aren't far but a bit of a walk and, depending on the crowds using them, it can be queues for tram tickets and very busy platforms and trams with people getting there.
You could go up earlier, Salford Quays is nearby and there are restaurants and other eateries in the Lowry Centre (some shops too). Not a good place to think about parking though, it's very sectioned off to residents' parking (I used to live there) and patrolled by local security at times. You can walk from there though it is further but may solve being on a busy tram (often people jammed on like sardines on match days).
Some of the buses do go up past there though (250/X50 to Trafford Centre) though I'm not sure of the affect on match days as I wouldn't go up that way on a match day if I could possibly help it. The 53 also goes near though it's a cross city bus, nowhere near as frequent but maybe more parking opportunities.
Another idea would be to park further up the Altrincham line and get the tram from further up in, likely to be less busy that the line coming out of town.