Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Premier League has confirmed Michael Oliver will take charge of this weekend’s Manchester derby.
Michael Oliver, 41, will officiate the Manchester derby as Manchester United and Man City go head-to-head at Old Trafford.
After taking charge of three Premier League matches so far this season, Oliver has dished out eight yellow cards and awarded one penalty – but none of those games involved United or City.
However, after officiating in eight Manchester derbies across all domestic competitions, United In Focus examines Oliver’s record in the fixture.
Michael Oliver at Stamford Bridge
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Getty Images
Michael Oliver has sent one player off in a Manchester derby
Oliver has refereed eight derbies between United and City.
A look at the head-to-head outcomes from those matches: City have won five, compared to United’s three, and there has never been a draw.
Oliver first refereed a Manchester derby in 2014, when City won 1-0 and Chris Smalling was sent off. That was the only time he sent off a player in a Manchester derby.
Oliver issued two yellow cards to Smalling within eight minutes during the first half before the defender was sent off.
Another questionable call from Oliver led to Ander Herrera being booked for simulation in December, 2017. The Spaniard went down inside the box following contact with Nicolas Otamendi. United were denied a penalty, and Herrera was shown a yellow card. The match ended 2-1 in City’s favour and there was a post-match bust-up between the teams in the tunnel outside the dressing rooms.
While seven of the matches were played in the Premier League, the last meeting Oliver was involved in was the 2024 FA Cup final, when United won 2-1, and he served as a VAR official.
Breakdown of Michael Oliver’s Manchester derbies:
November, 2014 (Premier League): Man City 1-0 Man Utd
March, 2016 (Premier League): Man City 0-1 Man Utd
December 10, 2017 (Premier League): Man City 3-1 Man Utd
March 8, 2020 (Premier League): Man Utd 2-0 Man City
March 6, 2022 (Premier League): Man City 4-1 Man Utd
October 2, 2022 (Premier League): Man City 6-3 Man Utd
May 25. 2024 (FA Cup final): Man Utd 2-1 Man City
Getty Images
Michael Oliver officiated four Man Utd matches in the Premier League last season
In the four Premier League matches involving United that Oliver officiated in last season (2025/26), the Reds won two and lost two.
Two of those wins came after United appointed Michael Carrick as interim head coach, meaning the two defeats came under Ruben Amorim.
October 19, 2025: Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd
December 21, 2025: Aston Villa 2-1 Man Utd
February 7, 2026: Man Utd 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
April 18, 2026: Chelsea 0-1 Man Utd
A total of eight yellow cards were given to United players in those games.
Hopefully, Carrick can build on his record with Oliver as referee against City.