Michael Oliver will take charge of the Derby match between Manchester City and Manchester United on Saturday, the Premier League has announced.
City, who will be eager to claim three points after losing to Crystal Palace last weekend, have failed to win any of the past four Manchester Derbies in the Premier League.
With the Sky Blues already five points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, the first Manchester derby of the season could have huge ramifications on the Premier League title race.
However, the Blues will not be satisfied with the referee who will manage the match. Ahead of Saturday’s match, the Premier League confirmed on their official website that the 36-year-old referee will officiate the Manchester derby.
Oliver has been involved in 13 matches across all competitions already this season, showing 46 yellow cards, two red cards and awarding three penalties.
The 36 year-old last took charge of City in September, as Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a strike from the in-form winger Gabriel Jesus.
Michael Oliver will be joined at Old Trafford by Assistant Referees Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett this weekend.
The news was shared on Twitter by City Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters, with many not pleased with the decision.
so we’re getting lahoz and now oliver wtf have we done to deserve this😭
— 🧚♀️ (@izmcfc) November 2, 2021
We’re finished 😭
— Dhay_veed 🌚 (@Dhayveed15) November 2, 2021
City in the mud again
— Chris Ronan (@christaps18) November 2, 2021
advantage united ffs
— chill (@chillmcfc) November 2, 2021
Nah the prem doing the most to make us not win it this season 😭😭😭
— Lewis ™ (@_mcfc_Lewis) November 2, 2021
United win already and Ronaldo pens
— Miracle (@Miracle75167042) November 2, 2021
Michael Oliver was VAR this game and dismissed the red card over turn when Auba was through on goal- we are screwed! pic.twitter.com/XXgFktKpxv
— Zilla (@Zilla47292488) November 2, 2021
