The attention of the football world will be on Man City vs Man Utd today – but fans looking to watch the latest chapter of the Manchester derby will need to note the unusual 3.30pm kick-off time.
Pep Guardiola’s team will be hoping for a repeat of the 3-0 result which the defending champions achieved at Old Trafford earlier in the season, with two goals from Erling Haaland and one from Phil Foden giving City the local bragging rights.
The home team will be eager for the three points to remain in close competition with Liverpool in the Premier League title race, who they currently trail by four points at the top of the league.
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, on the other hand, have a lot of ground to make up if they are to catch up with fourth-placed Aston Villa, who hold the final guaranteed Champions League qualification position for next season.
So, why is the Manchester derby starting at this unusual time this afternoon?
Why is the Manchester derby starting at 3.30pm?
Manchester United vs Manchester City is starting today at 3.30pm following an agreement made by the two clubs and other parties.
A statement released by Manchester United stated: ‘The unusual start time was agreed following consultation between the clubs, the broadcaster and local authorities.’
The match is being broadcasted live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, as part of Super Sunday, with coverage set to begin from 3pm.
As a result, the first part of Sky’s coverage – Burnley vs Bournemouth – will begin at the earlier time of 1pm to accommodate the new kick-off time for the Manchester derby.
The return match at Old Trafford in October also started at 3.30pm for the same reason.
United have another Sunday 3.30pm kick-off scheduled this season, with Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford in April set to start an hour earlier.
Last season’s match at the Etihad ended in a dramatic 6-3 victory for the home side.
Haaland and Foden both scored three goals each in what was, unsurprisingly, the highest-scoring Manchester derby in history.
A late brace from Anthony Martial helped United reduce the gap from 6-1, ensuring the result was somewhat less humiliating than it might have been.
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