Alex MacQuoid
Anthony Taylor has been confirmed as the match referee for Saturday lunchtime’s Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford.
The appointment comes as Michael Carrick prepares for his first game back in charge of United as interim head coach, while Pep Guardiola’s City arrive looking to extend their unbeaten run and keep pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Anthony Taylor Confirmed as Match Referee
Standing in the middle this weekend will be one of the Premier League’s most experienced officials. Manchester-born referee Anthony Taylor has overseen some of the biggest fixtures in English and European football and is once again trusted with a high-profile derby.
Across all competitions this season, Taylor has taken charge of 23 matches, issuing 88 yellow cards, two red cards (one via a second booking), and awarding seven penalties.
In the Premier League alone, Taylor has officiated 17 fixtures during the current campaign, making him the most-used referee in the division.
Anthony Taylor’s Manchester Derby History
Saturday’s clash will be the sixth Manchester derby officiated by Taylor across all competitions. United currently edge those meetings, with three wins to City’s two.
Notably, Taylor also refereed the reverse fixture earlier this season, when Manchester City ran out 3–0 winners at the Etihad Stadium. That game passed without any cards shown to either side, underlining Taylor’s tendency to allow matches to flow when possible.
Anthony Taylor’s Record Refereeing Manchester United
This will be the 57th time Anthony Taylor has refereed Manchester United — only two clubs have been officiated by him more often throughout his career.
United’s record under Taylor has been mixed but broadly positive:
Matches: 56
Wins: 32
Draws: 7
Defeats: 17
League points won: 88
In those matches, United have been awarded 12 penalties, while seeing three players sent off.
Taylor has refereed United three times this season, including victories over Brighton (4–2) and Newcastle (1–0), as well as the reverse Manchester derby. He also oversaw Carrick’s 1–1 draw with Chelsea during his temporary spell in charge in 2021.
Anthony Taylor’s Record Refereeing Manchester City
Taylor has taken charge of Manchester City on 49 occasions so far in his career, with Saturday marking a minor milestone for the Citizens.
City’s record under Taylor reads:
Matches: 49
Wins: 27
Draws: 10
Defeats: 12
League points won: 78
City have been awarded nine penalties in matches refereed by Taylor, but have also received four straight red cards — the most of any club under his supervision.
Like United, City avoided any bookings when Taylor officiated the reverse derby earlier this season, committing just eight fouls as the referee kept interventions to a minimum.
Cards, Penalties & What to Expect
Taylor averages a relatively modest number of cards per game compared to some Premier League officials. This season, he has shown:
Yellow cards per game (PL): 3.88
Red cards per game (PL): 0.12
Penalties awarded (all competitions): 7
Historically, Manchester derbies refereed by Taylor have tended to be controlled rather than chaotic, with an emphasis on game flow and minimal VAR disruption.
Match Officials for Man Utd vs Man City
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
Fourth Official: Sam Barrott
VAR: Craig Pawson
Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes
Final Thoughts
With Anthony Taylor in charge, Saturday’s Manchester derby is unlikely to descend into a card-heavy affair unless the temperature on the pitch forces his hand.
For bettors and analysts alike, Taylor’s historical data suggests a referee who prefers continuity, keeps his cards in his pocket, and allows big matches to find their own rhythm — a factor worth considering as Manchester United and Manchester City collide once again at Old Trafford.