UEFA confirm card-happy referee for Manchester United vs PAOK, he’s given three penalties

UEFA have confirmed the referee who will officiate Manchester United’s Europa League tie against PAOK at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Manchester United are eager to claim their first Europa League win of the 2024/25 season as they prepare to face PAOK on Thursday evening under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Their journey has been challenging so far, with three draws – 1-1 with FC Twente, 3-3 with FC Porto, and another 1-1 with Fenerbahce. These results have placed United in 21st position, four points away from the top eight, where they need to be for automatic advancement to the knockout stages.

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Though United have managed to score five goals across these games, a shaky defense has repeatedly allowed leads to slip, raising concerns over the team’s defensive organisation.

With five more matches to play and the toughest of their fixtures likely behind them, United have a clear path to turn things around. If they can bolster their defence and maintain their scoring touch, a climb up the standings and a place in the knockout rounds are still achievable.

Confirmed officials

Radu Petrescu (pictured below) will be the referee on Thursday afternoon in Manchester. Petrescu has officiated six Romanian SuperLiga matches this season, two in Europe and one in the Nations League, among others.

So far, Petrescu has issued 24 yellow cards in the SuperLiga this season, one red, and two penalties. He has also awarded one penalty in the Nations League and has handed out 42 yellow cards across all 11 games he has officiated this season.

Radu Ghinguleac and Mircea Grigoriu will be Petrescu’s assistant referees on the sidelines during the game. Marcel Bîrsan has been handed the fourth official role, separating Van Nistelrooy and Răzvan Lucescu on Thursday evening.

Italian Daniele Chiffi has been appointed as the Video Assistant Referee. His compatriot, Aleandro Di Paolo, will act as assistant VAR.

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