Connect with us

Manchester United News

Clattenburg to ref Manchester derby

Clatters_2382746bMark Clattenburg will referee the Manchester derby this Sunday in what is likely to an even more fiercely contested affair than usually, given United and City go into the game separated by a single point.

Widely regarded as one of the best referees in the Premier League, Clattenburg has refereed United three times this season, sending off two United players in the process.

Earlier in the season, the County Durham official attracted controversies for wrongly awarding Leicester a penalty in their 5-3 win against United, deeming that Rafael had fouled Jamie Vardy, where the Leicester striker had in fact fouled the United right-back in the lead up to the incident.

While United had little to complain as they spurned a 3-1 lead, Clattenburg wasn’t exempt from blame either as he sent off Tyler Blackett for preventing a clear goal opportunity, but only after Blackett had been fouled by Vardy.

In February, Clattenburg sent off Luke Shaw for two bookable offences against West Ham, but while the England international deserved a yellow for a late challenge on Stewart Downing, the first booking was rather soft.

The 40-year-old was also in charge of United’s 3-0 win against Spurs, which passed without any major controversies.

The Gosforth-based ref was in charge of City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and of their 2-1 defeat at Anfield, with City’s only win with Clattenburg in charge this season coming against West Ham earlier this season.