Dean in the hotseat for derby day at Old Trafford
UNITED and City have already played three times this season, with the final Premier League derby between the sides taking place on Sunday.
The Reds have won two of the three games so far, winning both of their trips to the Etihad in the Premier League and Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
City, however, won the first leg at Old Trafford which ultimately proved enough to win the tie, and will be looking to continue their fine run at their rivals this weekend.
In that first leg, the referee was Mike Dean, and the Wirralborn referee will again be in charge on Sunday to lead the sides out.
It will be Dean’s sixth Manchester derby, where he has handed out 25 yellow cards and one red card – to Paul Scholes in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final – in his previous five games. He has awarded one penalty in those fixtures.
City were on the losing side the last time Dean took charge of one of their fixtures as they were beaten at Tottenham.
Dean saw VAR award a penalty in their favour having initially waved play on, but Sergio Aguero missed and Aleks Zinchenko was later sent off.
Dean has taken charge of four United games this season, awarding 11 bookings to United players.
In total, he has refereed City 73 times and United 71 times. Both sides have recorded 38 wins when Dean officiated.
He will be assisted by Darren Cann and Dan Robathan, with Anthony Taylor the fourth official. Andre Marriner will be the VAR, assisted by Stephen Child.