Manchester City's home league game with Manchester United this weekend is set to kick-off at a unique time once again.

Erik ten Hag's men come face-to-face with Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday for the second Manchester derby of the season.

And kick-off on March 3 has been moved to an odd time - going ahead at 3:30pm instead of the normal 4.30pm slot.

It is not the first time that this has happened in the Manchester derby - and not even the first time this season.

Man United were thrashed 3-0 earlier this season in October at Old Trafford in a Sunday kick-off, which went ahead at 3:30.

A statement was made at the time, which read: "The derby with Manchester City will be staged towards the end of the month, with the Old Trafford encounter being moved to 29 October, kicking off at 3.30pm.

"The fixture, which we won 2-1 last season with Marcus Rashford netting a memorable winner, is to be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.

"The unusual start time was agreed following consultation between the clubs, the broadcaster and local authorities."

City released a statement explaining why the kick-off time for the Etihad clash has been 'altered'.

It read: "City’s Premier League game against Manchester United at the Etihad has been altered for live television coverage."

The Citizens head into this clash against their inner-city rivals one point behind Liverpool at the top of the table and one point above Arsenal.

"We have one more point than last season in the Premier League right now," Guardiola pointed out this week.

"But Liverpool has many, they were seventh at this stage and now they are top of the league. Arsenal have five, six or seven more points than now but look how they're playing. It's up and down.

"We are similar to last season. I don't remember how it was in February last season, we were five or six points behind Arsenal?

"I was thinking we have them at home, maybe at home we can [turn things around]. They didn't take the rhythm that they had in the first half of the season to make 50 points, otherwise not even playing incredibly could we catch them. Now we are three teams, Villa is there. Spurs have a game in hand. Three teams, all of them, one point, everything can happen."

Guardiola's men demolished the Red Devils 6-3 in this very same fixture last year and will look to pile more misery on Ten Hag and maintain their title charge.

United are sixth, eight points off the top four after a 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham.

They have a healthy gap to those below them, so are unlikely to finish lower than sixth this season.

However, with each defeat, the chances of a top-four finish diminish and a trip to the Etihad is the last thing they need.

But the Red Devils do actually boast a decent Premier League record in the blue half of Manchester, winning three of their last six visits.