Dean – who issued his 100th Premier League red card, to Manchester United’s Ashley Young, earlier this month – has been appointed for the game at the Amex, which will be just the third time he has overseen a United fixture this term.

The 50-year-old also refereed the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat to Wolves at St. James’ Park in December, in which he dismissed full back DeAndre Yedlin and booked seven others, and also took charge of Rafa Benítez’s side’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth which brought five yellow cards – including those given to Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Pérez.

A Select Group official since 2000, Wirral whistler Dean has taken charge of FA Cup, League Cup and FA Trophy finals, as well as the Community Shield. This season, across 33 games in the Premier League, Championship, FA Cup and Carabao Cup and League Two, he has issued a total of 139 yellow cards and 11 red cards.

Dean’s cards have remained pocketed for one game in 2018/19 so far – Manchester City’s 9-0 rout of Burton Albion in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Dan Robathan on Saturday, while the fourth official will be Lee Probert.