Why has Man Utd v Man City been handed a 3.30pm kick-off time? Reasons explained for unique Sunday start

Manchester City and Manchester United are both focusing on challenging Champions League group stage fixtures - but both clubs know their is an even bigger date on the horizon.

Once the European action is over and done with, both sides of the Manchester divide will turn their attention towards an eagerly-anticipated derby clash at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Last season’s meeting in M16 will be fresh in the memory after two goals in three minutes from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford helped the Red Devils to a controversial 2-1 win against Pep Guardiola’s side. That gained a measure of revenge for the 6-3 defeat they suffered at the Etihad Stadium last October - but was not enough to disrupt City’s successful bid to become the second club behind United to claim an historic treble.

Both sides have suffered surprise defeats in recent weeks - yet still sit inside the top eight of the Premier League table as they prepare to enter a hectic run of fixtures across a number of competitions.

It will be of little surprise to discover the first Manchester derby of the season has been selected for live coverage by Sky Sports - but it may surprise some to learn the kick-off time has been schedule for 3.30pm, an hour earlier than the usual kick-off time for the broadcaster’s second ‘Super Sunday’ fixture.

Although no specific reason was given for the move, United did reveal which parties had come to an agreement over the decision in a statement on their club website. It read: “The unusual start time was agreed following consultation between the clubs, the broadcaster and local authorities.”