Ref announced for Man Utd visit to Southampton has been involved in high profile Red Devils controversies

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The Premier League have appointed Stuart Attwell as the referee for Manchester United’s trip to Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils return to action at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday with Erik ten Hag’s side handed the early kick-off.

Following back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool, Manchester United are under huge pressure to get their season back on track after the international break.

There will be a lot of attention on United’s midfield for the trip down south with question marks around Manuel Ugarte’s involvement.

Casemiro was left in tears when he last faced Southampton so the Brazilian will be looking to redeem himself and bounce back from his dire display against Liverpool.

United fans will be hoping for a quiet, comfortable victory, but Stuart Attwell’s record when in charge of the Red Devils suggests a dramatic clash is on the cards.

Match officials for Southampton vs Manchester United

The Premier League announced the match officials for matchweek four on Tuesday. Here is who will take charge of Saturday’s clash:

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Linesmen: Constantine Hatzidakis, Nick Hopton

Fourth official: Gavin Ward

VAR: Chris Kavanagh

Assistant VAR: Lee Betts

Attwell has taken charge of 19 United fixtures throughout his career and the Red Devils have won 12 of them, drawing three and losing four.

But he has been involved in several high-profile incidents when overseeing United in action.

Stuart Attwell involved in Manchester United controversies

You don’t have to cast your mind back far for Attwell’s latest controversy in charge of United. The last game he officiated involving United was the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest last season.

Forest wrote to the PGMOL immediately after the match to issue a complaint against Attwell, who had sent off Joe Worrall for a last-man foul. United came from 2-0 down to take all three points.

Attwell was also in charge of VAR when Middlesbrough scored an extremely controversial equaliser against United in the FA Cup in 2022. He allowed the goal to stand despite a blatant handball.

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However, a controversial decision made by Attwell went in United’s favour during a Manchester derby clash in January 2023 when he allowed Bruno Fernandes’ goal to stand despite City players appealing for offside.

Attwell has given penalty kicks in his last two Manchester United games – the 3-2 win over Forest and the 4-1 win over Chelsea in 2022-23.