Eddie Howe's side travel to the Etihad Stadium this weekend targeting a seventh consecutive away win across all competitions and this will be the third time Madley has officiated a fixture involving the Magpies this term.

The 41-year-old whistler, who refereed last season's Emirates FA Cup final, took charge of United's 3-3 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool in December and handed out seven yellow cards at St. James' Park that night, booking Sandro Tonali and Nick Pope.

The Huddersfield-born official also oversaw the Magpies' first fixture of 2025 - a 2-1 win away at Tottenham Hotspur - and brandished a total of five yellow cards, booking Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Joelinton and Alexander Isak at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

2024/25 stats

Games (all competitions): 17

Yellow cards issued: 70

Red cards issued: 3

Assistants

Assistant referees: Nick Hopton and Craig Taylor

Fourth official: Tim Robinson

VAR: John Brooks

Assistant VAR: Lee Betts