The Premier League has confirmed that experienced referee Anthony Taylor will take charge of this weekend’s highly anticipated Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. The clash sees Manchester City host rivals Manchester United in one of the standout fixtures of the season.
Manchester City’s Recent Form
Pep Guardiola’s side enter the derby looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats prior to the September international break. City began the season strongly with a 0-4 victory over Wolves, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki both finding the net. However, their home opener ended in disappointment with a 0-2 defeat to Tottenham, followed by a 2-1 loss away to Brighton despite taking the lead.
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United also face pressure after a challenging start to the campaign, including an early League Cup exit to Grimsby Town, setting the stage for a high-pressure showdown at the Etihad.
Referee Appointment
Anthony Taylor, a Manchester-born referee, has been appointed to oversee proceedings. The official has a wealth of Premier League experience and has previously taken charge of 47 Manchester City fixtures. In those matches, City recorded 25 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses under his officiating.
Taylor has also refereed four Manchester derbies since 2018/19, with Manchester City winning just one of those encounters.
Assistant and VAR Officials
- Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will serve as Taylor’s assistants for the derby.
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR): John Brooks will take on the role of VAR, with Neil Davies acting as Assistant VAR at Stockley Park.
- Fourth Official: Simon Hooper will oversee technical areas and touchline matters at the Etihad Stadium.
What This Means
With Taylor’s extensive experience and familiarity with Manchester derbies, the appointment is likely to spark debate among fans. Manchester City will be eager to overcome recent setbacks and secure a vital win, while Manchester United will aim to take advantage of their rivals’ fragile form. The officiating team’s decisions could prove decisive in one of the season’s defining fixtures.
FAQs
- Who is refereeing the Manchester City vs Manchester United derby?
Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the referee.
- How many times has Taylor refereed Manchester City games?
He has officiated 47 City matches, with 25 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses for the club.
- Has Taylor refereed Manchester derbies before?
Yes, he has officiated four Manchester derbies since 2018/19, with City winning only once.
- Who are the assistant referees?
Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will serve as assistants.
- Who is in charge of VAR for the match?
John Brooks will oversee VAR, assisted by Neil Davies.
- Who is the fourth official?
Simon Hooper will be the fourth official at the Etihad Stadium.
Conclusion
The appointment of Anthony Taylor as referee adds extra intrigue to Sunday’s Manchester derby. With both clubs seeking to respond to difficult starts to the season, all eyes will be on the officiating team to ensure a fair and well-managed contest at the Etihad Stadium.
