ANDRE MARRINER WILL referee next Monday’s decisive derby between Manchester City and Manchester United, the Premier League confirmed this afternoon.
City moved to within three points of the top of the league with a 2-0 win away to Wolves yesterday after United twice squandered a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 at home to Everton.
A win for City next Monday would leave the sides level on points with two games remaining, prompting United boss Alex Ferguson to label it the biggest derby that he can remember.
Marriner last refereed a meeting between the two city rivals in February 2011 when goals from Nani and Wayne Rooney gave United a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
The 41-year-old also took charge of the United’s controversial Premier League clash against Liverpool last October, the game in which Luis Suarez was subsequently found to have made racial remarks towards Patrice Evra.