It will be the second time this term that the 34-year-old has overseen a United fixture, with his previous appointment being the 0-0 draw at Southampton in October.

The Manchester-born official – who promoted to the Select Group of Referees in 2017 – refereed two Magpies fixtures last term. The first was a 3-0 home defeat to Watford in November 2017, while the second was the 1-0 victory at Stoke City on New Year’s Day, when Ayoze Pérez bagged the winner for Rafa Benítez’s side.

So far this campaign, Kavanagh has taken charge of games in the top flight, Championship, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, dishing out a total of 51 yellow cards in his 18 matches to date.

In that time, he has issued just the one red – to Leicester City’s James Maddison, in their 1-1 draw at Brighton in November.

Kavanagh will be assisted by Daniel Cook and Sian Massey-Ellis at Stamford Bridge, while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official.