Manchester United ask UEFA to move Old Trafford leg of Europa League clash with Liverpool to later slot

Battle of Britain: The Red Devils face Liverpool in the last-16 of the Europa League

Manchester United have asked UEFA to move kick-off in their Europa League second leg tie against Liverpool to a later slot.

United and Liverpool are due to kick-off at 6pm at Old Trafford on March 17 in a game that will decide which of English football's fiercest rivals will advance to the quarter-finals.

But United feel the early kick-off is unfair on their fans, in terms of enabling them to make it to the game, and have contacted UEFA to request it be pushed back to 8pm.

The game at Anfield kicks off at 8.05pm on March 10 and United feel it is only fair their fans have parity with those of their fiercest rivals in terms of getting to the match.

Manchester City Council's safety advisory group will liaise with Greater Manchester Police over the proposed later kick-off at Old Trafford.

But it is not thought putting the game back two hours would be opposed by both bodies, despite issues over security and safety issues involving rival faNS

Reuters

Last time under the lights: The pair met in the Capital One Cup in September 2013

The last time United and Liverpool met in an evening kick-off, in a Capital One Cup tie at Old Trafford in September 2013, the game was marred by a lit flare being thrown from the away section in the East Stand onto home fans below.

Although no sanctions were brought against either club, the Football Association wrote to both regarding the matter, with smoke bombs also an issue at the game, despite pre-match searches as fans entered the game.