Greater Western Sydney and the AFL have announced they have rescheduled the GIANTS Round 17 Toyota AFL Premiership match against Essendon at Skoda Stadium.

The GIANTS asked the AFL to move the fixture on Saturday July 20 from 7.40pm to

2.10pm to avoid a clash with the match between Manchester United and an A-League

All Stars team at ANZ Stadium and in the interests of sports fans across Sydney.

Chief Executive David Matthews said moving the match to the afternoon would allow sports fans in Sydney to enjoy both events on the same day. 

"The people of Western Sydney deserve more high quality sport and this is a sensible decision to ensure two major events in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct don't clash," Matthews said.

"To have a sporting club of Manchester United's profile come to Sydney is a good outcome and we want to work with the New South Wales Government and Destination NSW to allow sports fans to attend both if they want.

"To this end we will look at ticket offers for those soccer fans who want to come along early and watch the GIANTS play Essendon at Skoda Stadium and hope to announce this in the new year.

"We know GIANTS and Bombers fans won't want to miss the match, especially as it will be the last time Kevin Sheedy will coach against his old club and we hope many Essendon fans will travel to Sydney for the occasion." 

Matthews and GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy recently visited Manchester United where they met legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and invited him to visit the GIANTS during his trip to Sydney.

"Kevin has been in contact with Sir Alex since returning home and will formalise an invitation for him and and other Manchester United players and officials to visit the GIANTS to further introduce them to our national game and build our relationship with one of the most famous sporting clubs in the world," he said.

The GIANTS-Essendon match at Skoda Stadium will be broadcast live nationally on Foxtel and 7 Mate across NSW at 2.10pm on Saturday July 20.