Manchester United’s Premier League clash against fierce rivals Liverpool has been handed an unusual new kick-off time.
One of the most hostile rivalries in world football, United and Liverpool were originally scheduled to meet on Saturday, May 2 at 3pm.
While it was inevitable that this fixture would be moved to a live television slot that weekend, the new confirmed kick-off date and time has raised eyebrows.
New Kick-Off Date and Time Announced
Old Trafford
Old Trafford
The fixture, which could have a significant bearing on the outcome of the top four race, has now been moved to Sunday, May 3.
However, the game will not be played in the expected 4:30pm (UK time) kick-off slot, as was initially anticipated.
Instead, the fixture at Old Trafford will kick off one hour earlier at the highly unusual time of 3:30pm.
Live Premier League matches on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday almost always kick off at 2pm or 4:30pm. Occasionally, though, there are exceptions.
For example, the recent Tyne-Wear derby between rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland kicked off at midday on Sunday, March 22.
Per This is Anfield, the kick-off time for Manchester United vs Liverpool has been brought forward by one hour for safety reasons.
‘High risk’ fixtures have been brought forward in the past. Indeed, Liverpool’s visits to Old Trafford in March 2024 (for the FA Cup quarter-final) and April 2024 (for a Premier League fixture) were also scheduled as 3:30pm kick-offs.
The same things happened with the Manchester derby clashes at the Etihad Stadium in October 2023 and March 2024, due to extra requirements over policing.
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Chelsea vs Forest Also Handed Unusual Kick-Off Time
Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge
On the same weekend as Man Utd vs Liverpool, the Premier League have confirmed an unusual kick-off time for another Matchweek 35 fixture.
Chelsea will go head-to-head with Nottingham Forest at 3pm on Monday, May 4 (Early May Bank Holiday in the UK). Many EFL fixtures typically kick-off during the day on a Bank Holiday, but it’s rare for a Premier League match to kick off at 3pm.
Later that day, at 8pm, Everton take on Manchester City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Premier League title chasers Arsenal play Fulham at 5:30pm in the usual Saturday evening slot (5:30pm), while Aston Villa and Tottenham go head-to-head in the lunchtime kick off that day.
Meanwhile, relegation-threatened duo Leeds United and Burnley face-off on Friday, May 1 at 8pm.