Real Madrid have clash against Barcelona moved forward

Re-scheduling will give Jose Mourinho's team more time to prepare for Manchester United

Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Real Madrid will play their Primera Division home clash against Barcelona on the afternoon of Saturday, March 2, giving them three days to prepare for the second leg of their Champions League clash with Manchester United.

Madrid had reportedly been hoping to stage the match on the Friday in order to give them extra time ahead of their last-16 return trip to Old Trafford, the first leg of which takes place tomorrow night at the Bernabeu.

However, the kick-off time has now been confirmed by the LFP (Spanish football league) as 1600 local time on March 2, which is the same time as United are scheduled to start their Barclays Premier League home match against Norwich.

That means the season's second La Liga El Clasico is unlikely to be screened live on television in the UK due to a clash with domestic fixtures.

Four days prior to hosting Barca in La Liga, Madrid go to the Nou Camp for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in what promises to be a crucial period for Jose Mourinho's men.

PA