Manchester United's trip to cross-town rivals City was scheduled to take place on Sunday week, but the Red Devils' qualification for the EFL Cup final means a new date must be found.
Both sides' respective obligations in European competition leaves just one spare midweek in March, meaning the Premier League clash could be delayed by up to two months, report the Manchester Evening News.
City could entertain United just three days after the EFL Cup final on Wednesday March 1 - if the clubs avoid an FA Cup fifth round replay.
Otherwise, the Manchester derby could be played the week beginning Monday April 24, since there are no Europa League or Champions League ties scheduled that midweek.
Sky and BT are yet to decide which matches to televise on the weekend of April 22 and 23, since the FA Cup semi-finals take place on each day. United and City have Premier League fixtures to fulfil on that matchweek, as well as on the weekend of the quarter-finals, in the event they are knocked out of the competition in the fifth round or earlier.
United are due to travel to Burnley on the weekend of April 22 while City are down to host West Brom. Should both Manchester clubs reach the last four, then they could have three games in hand on their competitors.
But since the derby is their first league match to be delayed, it is likely to be rearranged ahead of other potentially deferred fixtures.
City's and United's wait is similar to three years ago when City hammered West Ham to reach the League Cup final, pushing the Old Trafford derby back to March 25.
United's elimination from the FA Cup at the first hurdle and City's route to the quarter-finals freed up the midweek.
If United are eliminated from the Europa League by St Etienne then the derby could be staged the week beginning March 6, with a Wednesday March 8 slot ideal since it would avoid a clash with the Europa League round-of-16 first leg ties on Thursday March 9.
UEFA rules stipulate English domestic club matches must not clash with Champions League or Europa League ties.
Potential derby dates
Wednesday March 1 (unless either side has an FA Cup fifth round replay)
Wednesday March 8 (unless United are still in the Europa League)
Week beginning April 24 (no FA Cup or European fixtures scheduled that midweek)