Manchester United supporters won't like Premier League announcement ahead of Newcastle United clash

The Premier League has confirmed the match officials for Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Manchester United on Sunday (kick-off 4:30pm).

The visit of Man United to Tyneside marks the start of an important week for fifth-place Newcastle and their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. After facing the Reds Devils, Eddie Howe’s side go up against Crystal Palace on Wednesday before travelling to Aston Villa next Saturday.

On paper, the Man United game is the easiest of the three when you consider Ruben Amorim’s men linger in 16th position. But it rarely plays out how you expect it to, so Newcastle will be wary of their visitors, who haven’t won at St James’ Park in five years.

Premier League confirm match officials

Ahead of the match, the Premier League has confirmed Chris Kavanagh as the referee.

The 39-year-old has refereed Newcastle on three occasions this campaign, with Howe’s men winning two of those away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. His last game saw the Magpies lose 2-1 to Fulham in February.

Click here to join NewcastleWorld's dedicated NUFC WhatsApp channel for news, videos and voice notes. CLICK THE BELL FOR NOTIFICATIONS.

Kavanagh escaped those matches without causing controversy. However, the same can’t be said for Manchester United when they lost 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in September.

The Ashton-under-Lyne-born official showed a red card to Bruno Fernandes for a perceived high tackle on Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison. While it was clear Fernandes had slipped and caught the midfielder with his ankle, Kavanagh was not asked by VAR to review his decision.

Although the decision was later overturned following a successful appeal, Man United fans have not forgotten Kavanagh’s mistake. This will be the first Red Devils game he has overseen since then.

Semi-automated offside technology in use for Newcastle United v Manchester United

Meanwhile, semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) will be in use this weekend for the first time in the Premier League.

A Premier League statement read: “The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology this weekend, on Saturday 12 April, after non-live testing in the Premier League and live operation in the FA Cup this season.

“Semi-automated offside technology will provide more efficient placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and produce virtual graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.

“The operation of semi-automated offside technology does not change the accuracy of the decision-making but enhances the speed, efficiency and consistency of the process.

“The Premier League has worked in collaboration with PGMOL and sports data and technology company Genius Sports to develop a new semi-automated offside technology system – and this will be its first use in a live competition.”

YOUR NEXT READ: Newcastle United strike 'secret' contract agreement with 'big player' Eddie Howe loves