Spanish football legend Pep Guardiola’s squad has recently outperformed the Red Devils in their encounters. However, the upcoming Manchester derby on Sunday is set to kick off at an unconventional time, sparking curiosity about the reasons behind this scheduling decision.
Manchester Derby: Why Man City vs Man Utd Is Kicking Off Early
The spotlight will be on Manchester as City prepares to host United in a crucial derby. Guardiola’s team currently holds a commanding 15-point lead over United in the table, making them favorites to extend their recent dominance. With three victories in the last four derbies, including an all-Manchester FA Cup final last year, City aims to maintain their superiority.
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This match holds significance in the Premier League title race for second-place City, trailing leaders Liverpool by one point and leading third-place Arsenal by one. The Cityzens, eager to secure a win, look ahead to a crucial fixture against Liverpool at Anfield the following week.
United, after a surprising 2-1 home loss to Fulham, sees their Champions League qualification hopes diminishing rapidly. Another setback at the Etihad Stadium could further jeopardize their chances of catching up with Aston Villa.
Despite the pivotal nature of the game, the kickoff time stands out as unusual. The match is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 3:30 pm GMT, deviating from the typical 2 pm or 4:30 pm start for Sunday Premier League games. The decision for the early kickoff was reached through consensus between broadcasters and police, aiming to mitigate the risk of crowd unrest during the high-profile encounter.
For viewers, the match will be broadcast on various channels worldwide, including Sky Sports Premier League in the UK and Peacock in the United States. The choice of a 3:30 pm kickoff time is not unprecedented, as the previous Manchester derby at Old Trafford in October 2023 also adopted this timing after consultation between clubs, broadcasters, and local authorities.
As for team news, City will be without Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while United faces significant player absences, including Rasmus Hojlund, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, and potential doubts surrounding Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane, as revealed by manager Erik ten Hag.