The 34-year-old has been tasked with keeping order in United’s Premier League clash with the Hammers at the London Stadium, where they won 3-2 last season in what was the Magpies’ first-ever visit to the stadium.

Manchester-born Kavanagh oversaw the goalless draw at Southampton in October 2018 – showing a yellow card to Christian Atsu at St. Mary’s – and was also in the middle for Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in January, when he booked both Matt Ritchie and Jorginho.

Since the start of the campaign, Kavanagh – who has been a top flight referee since April 2017, a few months before his promotion to the Select Group of Referees – has taken charge of games in the Premier League, Championship, League One, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. In those 21 outings, he has shown a total of 65 yellow cards but just one red. He dismissed Leicester City’s James Maddison in the Foxes’ 1-1 draw at Brighton in November.

Kavanagh will be assisted by Daniel Cook and Simon Bennett in the capital on Saturday, while Graham Scott – who refereed United’s last away league game, the 1-1 draw at Wolves in February – will be the fourth official.