Howard Webb to ref Manchester derby

Howard Webb has been chosen to referee Sunday’s Manchester derby as Premier League champions United host neighbours City.

The Yorkshire official, who took charge of both the World Cup final and the Champions League final in 2010, is yet to referee either side so far this season.

He will be accompanied by regular assistants Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann, who also ran the lines at both those showpieces three years ago.

Webb makes his first return to Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final defeat as Manchester United manager, when he sent off Rafael da Silva in May’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

But his last Manchester derby came in the second leg of the 2010 Carling Cup semi-final when Wayne Rooney scored a late goal to take United through to the final.

Despite that, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 games Webb has refereed.

The former policeman’s last Premier League match was Everton’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday.