Why is Manchester United vs Derby being played on Friday night in the FA Cup third round?
The FA Cup third round match was moved to Friday night despite not being picked as one of the televised fixtures
MANCHESTER UNITED host Derby in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday night.
Jose Mourinho's men were knocked out of the competition last season in the quarter-finals by finalists Chelsea.
When is Manchester United vs Derby?
THE third-round FA Cup game takes place on Friday, January 5.
This match will be held at Old Trafford.
Kick-off is at 8pm.
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Why is the game being held on Friday night?
DESPITE not being picked for televised coverage, the game was not included in the Saturday 3pm fixtures.
Rivals Manchester City face Burnley at home during that time slot and both Manchester clubs cannot play at home on the same date due to policing issues.
As City had the more recent Premier League game, it was decided that the United match should be moved to Friday night to even out the days between games for all clubs involved.
What other controversy surrounded the fixture?
MANY Derby fans were angered by the price of the tickets for the Friday night game with adult ticket prices being marked at £45.
FA Cup rules impose a minimum ticket price of £10 for ties but there is no upper limit.
When the prices were announced, Manchester United explained to the Derby Telegraph that the club policy is to retain the same ticket prices for cup games as for league games.
Derby owner Mel Morris offered Rams season ticket holders a special discount, with those season and half-season ticket holders being subsided by up to a third.