Why is Newcastle vs Man Utd an 8pm kick-off?

MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Tyneside to face Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday night.

Both sides were in Champions League action in midweek and will be keen to get over their respective disappointments.

Manchester United gave up a two-goal lead twice in the Champions League against Galatasaray on Wednesday nightGETTY

Kylian Mbappe scored a controversial last-minute penalty to equalise against Newcastle in the Champions LeagueALAMY

The Red Devils gave up a two-goal lead TWICE against Galatasaray in a dramatic 3-3 draw on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Newcastle were on the end of a controversial VAR decision, which led to Kylian Mbappe stealing a point from the penalty spot for PSG in the 98th minute.

Man Utd are the form side in the Premier League, dropping just two points from the last six games, while the Magpies will be hoping to build on their 4-1 romping against Chelsea in their last top-flight outing.

Why is Newcastle vs Man Utd an 8pm kick-off?

Saturday night’s huge Premier League showdown between Newcastle and Man Utd was initially scheduled to kick-off at 3pm GMT on December 2nd.

The game was later moved after the mouth-watering fixture was selected for TV broadcast.

TNT Sports have the rights to the game and they usually take the 12.30pm slot on Saturday – but they were forced to change to the 8pm space due to both side’s European commitments in the week leading up to the game.

Newcastle and Man Utd played in the Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday night respectively, meaning they would be unable to fulfil the fixture in the 12.30pm kick-off slot as they wouldn’t have been allowed enough recovery time.