United welcome the Hammers on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off) hoping to build on an encouraging fortnight, which has seen them draw 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur before beating Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor last Sunday.

And Friend, the experienced Leicestershire official, has been appointed to oversee the game, which also sees David Moyes’ side arrive on Tyneside seeking points to move them further into contention for European qualification.

The 49-year-old has been a top flight referee for over a decade, having been promoted to the Select Group of referees prior to the 2009/10 campaign. His first outing in the Premier League came in September 2009, and since then he has gone on to officiate in exactly 250 games at English football’s highest level.

Friend – who refereed Whitley Bay’s 2-0 FA Vase final win over Glossop North End the same year he became a top flight official – has also taken charge of an FA Cup final (Manchester City’s 6-0 win over Watford in 2019), an EFL Cup final (Swansea City’s 5-0 win over Bradford City in 2013) and a Community Shield (Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Chelsea, also in 2013).

This term, he has only overseen one game involving United, which was the 3-0 home defeat to Brighton in September. In total, Friend has refereed 25 games this term in the Premier League, Championship, FA Cup and EFL Cup, issuing 57 yellow cards and two reds – including one to the Seagulls’ Yves Bissouma in that loss at St. James’ Park.

Simon Beck and Adrian Holmes will assist Friend this weekend, with Darren England the fourth official.

Simon Hooper will be the VAR, assisted by Matthew Wilkes.