The South Yorkshire-based official is part of the panel of Select Group Referees and his first Premier League game was the Magpies' trip to Swansea City in March 2013.

His most recent appointment which involved United was last season's 1-0 defeat at Leicester City - Rafa Benitez's first match in charge.He has been the man in the middle on 23 occasions this season - mostly in the top flight - and has shown 92 yellow cards and two red.On Saturday, he will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Sian Massey-Ellis. The fourth official will be Mark Heywood.