5 hours Ago By Kurtis Leyland
The Premier League have confirmed that John Brooks will be the referee for Manchester United’s upcoming home match against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. Brooks officiated his first EFL game in August 2016 and was promoted into the Premier League five years later in 2021. The 36-year-old official has overseen 56 top-flight matches over the course of his career and has produced 251 yellow cards and five reds giving him an average of 4.
48 bookings per game. According to WhoScored.com, he has taken charge of nine Red Devils matches over the course of his career , with United coming out on top on six occasions, losing once and drawing twice.
Brooks' most recent match involving Ruben Amorim’s side came earlier this month in a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Old Trafford when a late Amad Diallo hat-trick saved the home side’s blushes against the bottom side after a first half own goal by summer signing Manuel Ugarte. He also oversaw United’s biggest league win of the season so far as braces from Joshua Zirkzee and wantaway winger Marcus Rashford helped the 13-time Premier League winners secure a 4-0 victory over strugglers Everton. Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan will be the assistant referees during United’s upcoming test against Crystal Palace.
Ben Toner will be the fourth official and Craig Pawson with the help of assistant Neil Davies will be on hand to settle any controversial decision on VAR duty. Crystal Palace are 13th in the table and two points behind Ruben Amorim’s side with 27 points from 23 matches. The Eagles started the season slow but have picked up in recent weeks with three wins in their last four matches before falling to a 2-1 defeat against London rivals Brentford.
Palace have scored 26 goals this season and are the fourth lowest scorers in the top-flight. Jean Philippe-Mateta has been their main man in front of goal with eight in 23 games while Eberechi Eze has been the main creator with five assists. Summer signing Eddie Nketiah, however, is still waiting for his first league goal in 17 matches after making the £30m summer move from Arsenal.
The Red Devils have won 32 of their previous 54 matches with Crystal Palace across all competitions while falling to defeat and drawing on 11 occasions. United, however, have failed to score in their last four matches against Crystal Palace, with the most notable being a 4-0 loss at Selhurst Park back in May last season. The Old Trafford side have won two of their last three matches under Amorim, more than the previous seven combined and are seeking back-to-back wins for the first time since the Portuguese coach’s arrival in the dugout.
A victory for United could see them climb to 11th in the league table as they aim to work their way back into the European race. In other news, Amorim is hoping that Patrick Dorgu will be in attendance for the game as he edges closer to a January move to the Premier League from Lecce..
