Bragging rights go up for grabs at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm) as Man United take on neighbours Manchester City.
Comments
Sport
Premier League referee Paul Tierney is the VAR for the Manchester derby.
Premier League referee Paul Tierney is the VAR for the Manchester derby.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Premier League has confirmed that official Paul Tierney will be in the VAR booth for Manchester United vs Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Tierney was at the centre of controversy on Wednesday night, after he was in Stockley Park for Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Merseyside neighbours Everton at Anfield. The official, along with referee Sam Barrott, were heavily scrutinised for not awarding a red card to Everton player James Tarkowski for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.
While Tarkowski did win the ball, his follow-through on the Argentine midfielder was wince-inducing as he caught him with his studs just below Mac Allister's knee. While the Liverpool playmaker writhed in agony, Barrott chose to award a yellow card to the defender - as VAR then looked over the decision.
However, Tierney's check lasted little more than a minute, before then agreeing with the on-field decision. After the match, Tarkowski admitted that his challenge was a bad one and that he had apologised to Mac Allister who had accepted this gesture of good will.
Reviewing the incident on Sky Sports' Soccer Special, former Premier League referee Mike Dean admitted that he was astounded that Tarkowski was not sent off. He said: "He gets the ball but the follow-through...
"It's a terrible challenge and for me, he should have gone to the screen, should have sent Tarkowski off.
Everton's James Tarkowski fouls Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister
Everton's James Tarkowski fouls Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister
"What the VAR has probably said is that he's got the ball, the follow-through has caught him. He will say normal footballing contact but it's not, it's just a horrible challenge."
Dean added: "He had to be sent to the screen - those kinds of challenges, as you ex-players will know, just can't happen in football because he could have broke his leg. It's 100 per cent red."
Tierney will be assisted in the VAR booth at Stockley Park by Tim Wood, who wasn't on duty at Anfield last night. Meanwhile, referee John Brooks will be the man in the middle - with the fourth official named as Tony Harrington.
The decision to appoint officials for this weekend's matches was made prior to the top-flight's midweek fixtures.