Manchester ref to officiate United-Arsenal clash | OneFootball

The Premier League have confirmed their match official appointments for the coming round of fixtures, with Arsenal travelling to Manchester United.

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Arsenal will travel to Manchester United on Sunday looking to make their Premier League form resemble something more like the 7-1 thrashing they dished out to PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.

The Gunners haven’t scored in two domestic fixtures against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, and they need to get back on track in Manchester. The Premier League title looks to be gone, but Mikel Arteta’s side still need to secure Champions League football for next season.

The Premier League have confirmed that Anthony Taylor will be refereeing on Sunday, with Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn as his assistants. Taylor will be refereeing Arsenal for the first time since he gave Joao Pedro a controversial Brighton penalty in January.

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Darren Bond will be the fourth official, with Paul Tierney on VAR, and Tim Wood as the assistant VAR.

Taylor is Manchester-born, though there’s no suggestion he grew up a United fan. Nor a City fan, as he’s refereed both clubs on many occasions, including against each other.

Referees are required to disclose the team they support, and they’re then kept away from that club’s fixtures. That’s why you’ll never see Jarred Gillett on a Liverpool game, for example.

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Taylor has refereed Arsenal games against Manchester United on three previous occasions – the 3-0 win at the Emirates in 2015, the 3-2 win at the Emirates in January 2023, and the 3-1 win at the same venue in September later that year. He didn’t give any penalties or red cards in any of the games.

A similar result for the fourth time in a row would be very welcome on Sunday.