Manchester derby referee: Michael Oliver to take charge of Manchester City v Manchester United again

Michael Oliver will be the man in the middle for Sunday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Manchester derby, which takes place at the Etihad at 4.30pm, is a huge game for both sides given their vested interests in the race for the title and Champions League places.

Therefore, Oliver, perhaps the most highly regarded official in the country, has been handed the reins for this fixture.

He’ll be assisted by Simon Bennett and Scott Ledger on Sunday, with Andy Madley as fourth official. Stuart Atwell and Darren Cann will oversee VAR from Stockley Park.

Has Michael Oliver refereed a Manchester derby before?

The 37-year-old was actually on duty for the reverse fixture in November, when an Eric Bailly own-goal and a strike from Bernardo Silva saw City win 2-0 at Old Trafford.

That was the fifth Manchester derby Oliver has been in charge of, and he officiated City’s 2-1 away victory over Jose Mourinho’s United in December 2017.

Oliver was also the referee when United won at the Etihad in March 2016, a game when a youthful Marcus Rashford famously scored the only goal of the game.

Sunday’s official also oversaw a 1-0 win for City in November 2014, and a 3-0 victory for the Sky Blues at Old Trafford six months earlier.

Overall, from Oliver’s five previous Manchester derbies, City have won four and United have taken a solitary victory. The away side have also come out on top in four of the encounters.

Has Michael Oliver refereed City this season?

As well as November’s derby, Oliver was appointed to City’s early-season visit to Stamford Bridge, where Pep Guardiola’s side won 1-0.

The referee’s only other trip to the Etihad this season came when the champions beat West Ham United 2-1 at home in November.

Has Michael Oliver refereed United this season?

Oliver has previously refereed three United games this season, the first being the 1-1 draw with Everton at Old Trafford.

After the derby, Oliver also oversaw United’s FA Cup victory over Aston Villa at the start of 2022.

Stats sourced from Transfermarkt.