New laws have been approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB)that will affect players at Manchester United and Manchester City as of the beginning of next season.
United and City are enduring difficult seasons in their own right this term, but could still both end the campaign with major trophies.
City are still in the FA Cup, as are United, who also boast ambitions of lifting the Europa League at the end of the season.
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City will face Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening before United host Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Reds also have a Europa League last-16 against Real Sociedad on the horizon, with the first leg taking place next week before the second leg takes place at Old Trafford on March 13th.
Even though the 2024/25 season is still ongoing, it has been announced that one particular law will change starting from next season.
IFAB have confirmed the law change will attempt to clamp down on goalkeepers timewasting in the Premier League.
The new law will mean that goalkeepers who hold onto the ball for longer than eight seconds will concede a corner kick to the opposing team. This is a change from the previous law, which resulted in an in-direct free-kick being given after six seconds.
As part of the new law, referees will also use a five-second countdown that will be made clear to the goalkeeper who is holding onto the ball.
The law will affect Ederson at City and Andre Onana at United from next season, and will be in place across all competitions including the Premier League, domestic cups and in European competitions.
