Why is Man City vs Man Utd being played at an unusual time? Reason for early 3:30pm Manchester derby kick-off explained

The upcoming Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United is scheduled to be played on Sunday March 3.

It will kick off at the earlier time of 3:30pm in the United Kingdom, which means an early start of 10:30am ET (5:30am PT) for fans based in the United States.

Premier League matches on a Sunday usually kick off at 2pm or 4:30pm. However, the Manchester derby will be played at the unorthodox time of 3:30pm.

The decision to kick off one hour earlier than usual follows an agreement between police and broadcasters.

The favoured slot for Premier League rights-holder Sky Sports is 4:30pm but that is deemed to be too risky a time for a game of such magnitude, when it is felt that there is a greater risk of crowd trouble.

Therefore, the 3:30pm time slot is a compromise between local authorities and broadcasters, meaning there is less time for trouble to brew between rival supporters.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the Manchester derby on television on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. It can also be streamed live online using the Sky GO app service.

In the United States, the game will be available to watch live exclusively on Peacock.

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• Live football on UK TV this week
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The last Manchester derby, at Old Trafford on October 29, 2023 was the first match to be played on a Sunday at 3:30pm.

United said at the time: "The unusual start time was agreed following consultation between the clubs, the broadcaster and local authorities."

City ended up easing to a 3-0 victory, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Phil Foden also netting.

Man Utd team news

United will be severely depleted by injuries when they turn up at the Etihad Stadium. Erik ten Hag will definitely be without star striker Rasmus Hojlund as well as fellow centre-forward Anthony Martial, full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, centre-backs Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Mason Mount. The manager has also revealed there are doubts about the availability of Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane.

Man City team news

City will definitely be without Jack Grealishafter he pulled up with a groin injury in the FA Cup win over Luton as well as defender Josko Gvardiol, who is recovering from an ankle problem. Otherwise, Guardiola has a full squad to choose from, with a boost in the form of Kevin De Bruyne, who came through the FA Cup win over Luton unscathed.