Man City v Man United derby showdown could be delayed for two months: This is why

Manchester United were scheduled to take on arch-rivals Manchester City on February 26 but Jose Mourinho's side will be at Wembley that day to take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final.

And now the derby fixture could face a delay of almost two months with both clubs facing a hectic schedule in Europe and domestically.

United and City's participation in the Europa League and Champions League respectively leaves just one free midweek in March.

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Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola will have to wait to take on each other a third time this year

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Manchester United won the last derby match in the EFL Cup fourth round

The match could be played on March 1 just three days after the EFL Cup final as neither side will have European commitments that week.

But that will rest on whether either side progress to the FA Cup fifth round and require a replay, which are scheduled to take place that week.

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Otherwise the clubs will have to wait until the week beginning Monday April 24, as no European ties are scheduled to take place that week.

The derby could also be moved to the weekend beginning Monday March 6, but only if United are knocked out of the Europa League by St Etienne in the next round.

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