Who is Manchester United vs Southampton referee? six-penalty official confirmed

The Premier League have confirmed who will officiate Manchester United’s home tie against Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Manchester United have started 2025 well after the end of 2024 left the side with four straight losses across all competitions.

Since the turn of the new year, Rúben Amorim’s men have put in a fantastic Premier League display during a 2-2 draw with league leaders Liverpool away from home before knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup thanks to penalty heroics from Altay Bayındır.

With United sat 13th in the league table, the club are welcoming rock-bottom Southampton for the first Old Trafford fixture of the year as the Reds look to build momentum.

The club’s next three fixtures all come at home and after two weeks of full training under the players’ belts, fans are hoping that the side will start to show more identity.

The Premier League have confirmed who will officiate the fixture.

Confirmed officials

John Brooks (pictured below) will be the referee on Thursday evening in Manchester. Oliver has officiated nine Premier League matches this season, five in other domestic competitions and a few UEFA fixtures, too.

Brooks has met United twice this season, officiating the side’s 4-0 win over Everton in the Premier League and 4-3 loss away from home against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.

So far this season, Brooks has issued 49 yellow cards in the Premier League and 91 across all competitions. He has issued no red cards but has awarded six penalties this season, two coming in the Premier League.

During the game, Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan will serve as Brooks’ assistant referees. Tom Bramall will be the fourth official on Sunday afternoon, separating Amorim and Ivan Jurić.

Paul Tierney has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee. Con Hatzidakis will act as assistant VAR.

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