Manchester derby set to be moved to April if City or United go through to FA Cup quarter-finals

The highly-anticipated Manchester derby at Old Trafford, currently scheduled for March 16, is almost certain to be pushed back to April with important ramifications for the Premier League title race and Champions League qualification places.

The Premier League is looking at two alternative dates for the United-City clash if – as is likely – at least one of the teams reach the FA Cup quarter-finals which also takes place in the middle of next month. City travel to Newport in a fifth round tie next Saturday while United face Chelsea 48 hours later.

Finding free dates to squeeze in extra fixtures is becoming increasingly difficult with United and City involved in the Champions League and City also having a Carabao Cup Final at Wembley on February 24. Pep Guardiola‘s side have already played 40 games this season – and may have another 24 left.

The Premier League is looking at two alternative dates in April for the United-City clash

The Premier League have pencilled in two possible dates for the derby, the first week of April or on the 23rd/24th later that month. 

The first option, April 2nd or 3rd is likeliest, even though that is only a few days before a potential FA Cup semi-final which would leave both managers with a huge dilemma of how much to rotate their line-ups.

Guardiola would probably prefer to avoid playing on the 23rd or 24th hot on the heels of another big game versus Spurs on April 20th though the final decision rests with the Premier League rather than the clubs.

The later date for United would also be problematic as it would mean Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men facing Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea in seven days as they chase a top-four finish.