Manchester derby between City and United moved to April 27

The Manchester derby is one of six matches to have been rescheduled for April, the Premier League has announced.

Manchester City will welcome local rivals Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium on April 27 at 8 p.m. BST — as sources had told ESPN on Sunday — after the original game was postponed due to the latter side’s involvement in the EFL Cup final last month.

The clash could prove to have a big influence on the battle to finish in the Premier League’s top four, with fifth-placed United currently five points behind third-placed City, having played a game less.

The 174th Manchester derby is to take place on a Thursday for the first time since 1994, when United beat City 5-0.

With City facing Arsenal at Wembley in the FA Cup semifinals at 3 p.m. BST on April 23 — the same day as United’s league trip to Burnley — Pep Guardiola has got an extra 24 hours recovery time for his players, securing a Thursday date rather than Wednesday, to safeguard against the prospect of extra-time and penalties against the Gunners.

As a result of the Manchester derby being moved to April 27, City’s game with Middlesbrough has also been rescheduled to 2:05 p.m. BST on April 30.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s home clash against Southampton has been moved to April 25 at 7:45 p.m. BST due to their participation in the FA Cup semifinals next month.

Fellow semifinalists Arsenal are to host Leicester City on April 26 at 7:45 p.m. BST, although there still has yet to be a date confirmed for their game against Southampton, which was postponed due to the latter side’s involvement in the EFL Cup final.

Tottenham Hotspur, also in the last four of the FA Cup, now face Crystal Palace on April 26 at 8 p.m. BST, while Middlesbrough will play Sunderland on the same night at 7:45 p.m. BST.