The referee for Manchester United's Premier League clash at Arsenal is not allowed to take charge of matches involving two clubs.

Veteran official Craig Pawson has been appointed to keep control when the historic rivals meet at the Emirates on Sunday. The 46-year-old has been overseeing Premier League fixtures since 2013.

He has also taken charge of a Championship play-off final and an FA Cup semi-final, as well as matches in the Champions League and the Europa League. However, there's absolutely no possibility he will ever referee games involving the team he supports, Sheffield United.

Officials must declare which side they support and any potential conflicts of interest to the PGMOL. Referees are never allocated to fixtures featuring the team they follow or nearby local rivals, meaning Sheffield-born Pawson would never take charge of a match involving Sheffield Wednesday either.

The Blades' most recent Premier League season was 2023/24, when they suffered relegation with just 16 points. They currently sit 17th in the Championship. Meanwhile, troubled Wednesday are facing a drop to League One after receiving multiple points deductions amid their financial difficulties.

From the 2024/25 campaign, the PGMOL enhanced transparency concerning declared loyalties following grievances about possible conflicts of interest.

These regulations cover the main officials, assistant referees and VARs. The officials' declaration encompasses any allegiances held by immediate family members, especially those residing in the same household.

Pawson has overseen 15 fixtures this term: 12 in the Premier League, two in the Carabao Cup and one in the Championship. He has brandished 36 yellow cards - an average of 2.4 per match - and only two reds.

He was on VAR duties for last weekend's Manchester derby, which saw United have three goals ruled out in their 2-0 win. Meanwhile, Pawson upheld on-field referee Anthony Taylor's decision to only caution Diogo Dalot for a high challenge on Jeremy Doku.

His previous United fixture as referee was their 3-1 reverse at Brentford in September. His most recent Arsenal encounter as the main official was the 2-2 draw at Sunderland in November.

Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined through injury. Noussair Mazraoui is back from the Africa Cup of Nations, while youngster Shea Lacey is available once more after suspension. The Gunners are set to welcome back both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie after injury. (Manchester Evening News)

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