FA Cup: Confirmed Match Officials as Manchester United welcome refreshing change vs Wigan

The match officials for Manchester United’s third-round FA Cup clash away at Wigan Athletic have now been revealed with a refreshing change for supporters.

United have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League. Erik ten Hag’s side will want to have success in the FA Cup due to their Premier League position.

A favourable tie against League One side Wigan is their first challenge, and United will also be playing slightly differently to how they have this season.

It will be only the third game they have played without VAR this season after their two Carabao Cup games.

VAR is used in the FA Cup this season but only in fixtures played at Premier League grounds.

Because of United’s rare away tie, they are afforded the chance to play without the technology that has caused much debate this term.

And so without VAR, the full match officials list for the game can be read below.

Match Referee:

Anthony Taylor will be the man in charge at the DW Stadium during this FA Cup clash following a difficult spell at the end of last year.

The experienced referee dropped down to the Championship in early November after an incredibly poor mistake when giving Newcastle a penalty in their 2-2 draw against Wolves at Molineux in October. The Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel reviewed the decision and deemed it to be incorrect.

However, Taylor would go on to make a worse decision in the Championship fixture between Preston and Coventry when he awarded a very soft penalty to Preston, who won the game 3-2.

He was then promoted back to the Premier League the following week. Taylor was in charge for one United game this term as Arsenal won 3-1 at the Emirates in September.

Assistant Referees:

The two assistant referees flanking Taylor on the day will be Adam Nunn and Harry Lennard. The pairing have assisted 61 FA Cup clashes between them in their careers.

Fourth Official:

Robert Jones will be the man on the touchline alongside Erik ten Hag and Shaun Maloney just weeks after being in the same position during United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa.