Why does the Sheriff game kick off early?

The matchday two clash in Group E will get under way at 17:45 BST, which is 19:45 local time at the Zimbru Stadium in Moldova.

Team news will be released 75 minutes before the first kick – as per competition rules – and therefore you can officially find out our XI from 16:30 BST via the United App, on ManUtd.com and MUTV. 

Our Matchday Live show will then begin at 16:40 BST.

Late-afternoon kick-offs are nothing new for this season’s Europa League, and you may remember that several of United’s away matches in Europe over previous years have been played at a similar time. 

The concept was introduced by UEFA at the start of the 2018/19 campaign, in both the Europa League and Champions League, so that fans can have the opportunity to watch more matches. 

Across the competitions, on each matchday, fixtures are now distributed between an earlier slot (17:45 BST this season) and a more traditional primetime window of 20:00 BST.

All three of United’s away games in this term's Group E will be played at the earlier time, with trips to Omonia Nicosia and Real Sociedad to follow this autumn. 

The Reds’ two remaining home matches in the group stage will start at 8pm in the UK, just as our competition opener against Real Sociedad did at Old Trafford last week.

UNITED’S REMAINING EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP E FIXTURES

Thu 15 Sep: Sheriff Tiraspol (A) – 17:45 BST 
Thu 6 Oct: Omonia Nicosia (A) – 17:45 BST
Thu 13 Oct: Omonia Nicosia (H) – 20:00 BST
Thu 27 Oct: Sheriff Tiraspol (H) – 20:00 BST
Thu 3 Nov: Real Sociedad (A) – 17:45 GMT