Why the kick-off time for Man United vs Liverpool on Sunday has changed as all three Super Sunday matches will not take place at the traditional times of 2pm and 4.30pm

The first major derby of the 2024-25 Premier League season kicks off this Sunday when Manchester United host Arne Slot’s Liverpool at Old Trafford.

However, the exciting battle between the two top-class giants began at an unusual time.

Premier League matches on Sunday normally kick off at 2pm or 4.30pm, but this weekend things will be different.

All three Premier League games this Sunday weekend have had unusual kick-off times, including the two previous matches between Chelsea and Crystal Palace and Newcastle and Tottenham.

What time does the Manchester United v Liverpool match kick off and why was the match moved from the traditional 4:30pm to 4:30pm?

Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday

Man United vs Liverpool isn’t the only match getting an unusual kick-off time this Sunday

The two previous matches Newcastle-Tottenham and Chelsea-Crystal Palace have also had a changed kick-off time

Manchester United vs Liverpool, kick-off time?

The Red Devils’ match against their great rivals Liverpool on Sunday has been slightly changed.

Instead of starting at 4:30 PM, the match will start half an hour earlier, at 4:00 PM.

Manchester United vs Liverpool kicks off this Sunday, September 1st at 4pm

Why does Man United v Liverpool start at 4pm?

No official reason has yet been given for the time change.

The most likely reason for the fixture change, although not yet confirmed, is the huge rivalry between the fans of the two clubs.

The kick-off time of major derby matches may be adjusted in consultation with the police and local authorities to avoid fan problems and unrest.

Police research shows that moving matches to an earlier kick-off time, even if it is only by an hour or more, has a positive effect on preventing and reducing nuisance caused by fans.

An example of this was the FA Cup quarter-final between these two teams, where the match kicked off at 3:30pm instead of later.

Match schedules that have been changed for this reason in the past have sometimes been clarified and confirmed by the clubs themselves.

However, neither Liverpool nor Manchester United have issued a statement this time.

The actual reason for the time change remains unclear.

The match was probably organised in collaboration with the police to prevent and reduce problems with fans

Why have the Sunday 2pm start times changed?

Another question that still remains unanswered is why the Newcastle-Tottenham and Chelsea-Crystal Palace matches will kick off at 1:30pm instead of the standard 2pm.

The reason for this change in schedule is probably the later match between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Both Manchester United v Liverpool and Newcastle v Tottenham have been selected as the two matches to be broadcast on Sky Sports next Sunday.

Since the later game has been moved forward half an hour, it makes sense that the earlier game is moved forward. This prevents the two match schedules from overlapping.