Matchday six of the Premier League kicked off with two lunctime games on Saturday, with Manchester United taking on Aston Villa at home while European champions Chelsea at welcomed champions Manchester City the Stamford Bride in London.  

However, United were originally scheduled to play Villa at 3 pm (local time), with the game reschuled to kick off at 12:30 pm instead. The decision was made by the Trafford Council Safety Advisory Group for the safety of fans as there is a concert scheduled to be held nearby later in the evening, according to the Daily Star.

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Manchester-based band Courteneers are scheduled to perform at the Old Trafford Cricket Stadium, which is located right next to the United’s home stadium Old Trafford. 

Around 50,000 people are slated to attend the sold-out concert, which is the band’s first since the start of the pandemic. The band, whose members are fans of the Red Devils, will be supported by City fan and ex-Smiths member Johnny Marr and the Blossoms among others.

In a statement, the club said, “Our home match against Aston Villa on 25 September has been brought forward to a 12:30 BST kick-off, following a request from Trafford Council Safety Advisory Group to move the game due to the Courteeners concert at Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, on the same day.”

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“This request was supported by Greater Manchester Police and TfGM [Transport for Greater Manchester] to avoid significant crowd, traffic and operational issues locally,” the statement added. 

“We regret any disruption that this may cause around our supporters’ plans for the day.”

Manchester United will be looking to continue their bright start to the Premier League season, having won four and drawn one of their five games so far. Star striker Cristiano Ronaldo will also be looking to extend his scoring streak, having already found the net thrice in two league games. 

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola will look to get his first win against Thomas Tuchel since the German took over as Chelsea manager in a replay of the Champions League final. Including a 1-0 win in the showpiece event in May, Tuchel has won all three meetings against the Spaniard since being appointed at the helm of Stamford Bridge.