Why Manchester United are playing Burnley at 8pm and there's no 12.30pm Premier League kick-off

Manchester United are facing growing pressure to get their season back on track following a torrid start. The Reds will hope to bounce back from their 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League with a win this weekend.

A Saturday trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley is up next, which has the unusual kick-off time of 8pm. In previous seasons, there have been three Saturday slots for Premier League matches to take place: 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm. On Sunday, the two traditional kick-off times are 2pm and 4.30pm.

Prior to the start of this season, it was extremely rare to see weekend league matches begin in the late evening unless due to severe schedule clashes or external circumstances. However, rule changes mean there are set to be more late matches on weekends.

READ MORE: How to watch Burnley vs Manchester United

READ MORE: Some United players concerned by tactical changes

Alterations in regulations mean clubs who play Champions League matches at 8pm on a Wednesday can't play in the 12.30pm Saturday lunchtime kick-off slot. As such, United will now play Burnley later in the evening after Brentford’s clash with Everton at 5.30pm, with there being no early kick-off in the Premier League.

TNT Sports will be broadcasting the game live in United’s first Premier League fixture on the network. The team are due to don their third kit for the first time at Turf Moor.

Managers of several Premier League clubs who compete in the Champions League have previously criticised the short time gap between a Wednesday European tie and the early Saturday kick-off time, especially when the team has been playing elsewhere on the continent.

Those who play in the Europa League and Europa Conference League always play on a Sunday, or