FA Cup final between Manchester rivals to have traditional 3pm kick-off

This season’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United will kick off at the traditional time of 3pm, the Football Association has confirmed.

The encounter on 3 June is the first Manchester derby FA Cup final in the competition’s 151-year history, which has led to the Metropolitan police deeming it a high-risk match and, therefore, insisting it starts no later than 4.45pm.

The FA confirmed on Wednesday that it will kick-off at 3pm, the first time the final has done so 2011.

ITV’s coverage of the final will be immediately preceded by the Derby from Epsom. The race will start at 1.30pm, with coverage starting at 12.30pm and FA Cup final buildup starting at 2.15pm.