Man United’s showdown with Liverpool will kick off in a late slot after Premier League’s £7m ‘sweetener’ to police – but high-risk fixture starts half an hour earlier than TV bosses wanted

Manchester United‘s clash with rivals Liverpool will kick off in a late slot after the Premier League‘s ‘sweetener’ to police.

But Sunday’s high risk fixture starts half an hour earlier than TV bosses wanted amid concerns from the local force.

Mail Sport revealed in January the competition was to pay various constabularies around £7million in what some viewed as a not-so-discreet attempt to allow big matches to take place in the more lucrative later broadcast slots.

And the gift, which league officials say was made as a ‘thank you’ rather than to facilitate kick-off times, appears to have done the trick.

However, this weekend’s Old Trafford clash will start at 4pm instead of the 4.30pm slot preferred by Sky officials. It is, at least, half an hour later than April’s game between the two sides which kicked off at 3.30pm.

The Premier League would pay £7m to constabularies in what some viewed as a not-so-discreet attempt to allow big matches to take place in the more lucrative later broadcast slots

It is understood that neither club has specific plans to address the issue of tragedy chanting that has marred previous fixtures between the two.

The private view is that the situation is improving and the hope is that it will continue to do so. Given this is a league game and not a cup match, Liverpool will receive an allocation of around 3,000. 

Traditionally, police have been against later kick-off times pointing out that it extends the time that fans can spend drinking and thus increases the likelihood of issues.

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, United expect the arrival of PSG’s midfielder Manuel Ugarte to conclude their summer spending. 

League officials say the gift was made as a ‘thank you’ gesture rather than to facilitate kick-off times (pictured: Premier League CEO Richard Masters)

The high-risk fixture this weekend will start half an hour later than TV bosses wanted

The club continue to attempt to raise funds and will listen to offers for defender Victor Lindelof and playmaker Christian Eriksen, with the Jadon Sancho situation, with Juventus and Chelsea involved, ongoing. 

Ahead of Friday’s deadline looming, there is interest in Lindelof from clubs in Spain, Turkey and Italy while Eriksen is thought to be on Ajax’s radar.

The payment was made as an unconditional gift under Section 93 of the Police Act with forces permitted to use the funds as they see fit.