One Manchester United star has escaped a two-game ban as the Premier League confirm the referee for Rúben Amorim’s clash against Brentford this weekend.
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with a visit to Brentford in West London.
Rúben Amorim’s men head into the game riding the momentum of a 3-0 away win over Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final first leg, with goals from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes giving them a commanding lead.
However, things have been far less convincing domestically—United are winless in their last five league outings and in need of a response.
With the second leg against Athletic looming on Thursday night at Old Trafford, Amorim is expected to shuffle his pack, resting key players and offering chances to several youngsters from the Academy.
Premier League confirm Brentford vs United referee
Anthony Taylor (pictured above) will be the referee on Sunday afternoon in Bournemouth. Taylor has officiated 28 Premier League fixtures this season, four in the Champions League, and three in the FA Cup.
Taylor has met United five times this season, all in the league. The first was a 3-0 loss against Liverpool at Old Trafford, with the second being Amorim’s first game in charge during a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town.
Then, Taylor officiated the club’s 2-1 win over Manchester City away from home before taking charge of the 1-0 win over Fulham and the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
So far this season, Taylor has issued 83 yellow cards in the Premier League and 140 across all competitions. He has issued two straight red cards this season and three via two yellow cards and has awarded 14 penalties, nine of which came in the Premier League.
During the game, Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will serve as Taylor’s assistant referees. Sam Barrott will be the fourth official on Sunday afternoon, separating Amorim and Thomas Frank.
Matt Donohue has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee. Sian Massey-Ellis will act as assistant VAR.
Ugarte escapes Premier League ban
As the season comes to an end, players often receive bans due to yellow card accumulation.
With United heading into the Brentford tie, Manuel Ugarte is sitting on nine yellow cards across the Premier League this season, and once a player collects ten in a single campaign, they are served with a two-game ban.
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However, as the club have now passed the 33rd fixture of the league season, this rule does not apply, as all ten cards have to be accumulated before that point.
Next on the list behind Ugarte sit Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez with seven yellows apiece, but again, as the 33rd fixture has now been played, neither player is at risk of a suspension.
It is unlikely that Maguire will start against Brentford due to the Europa League semi-final second leg in midweek, while Martínez is out until November after suffering an ACL injury.
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