Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says referee Anthony Taylor will find taking charge of his side's Premier League game at Liverpool "difficult".
The appointment of Manchester-based Taylor for Monday's game was criticised by Keith Hackett, the ex-head of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd.
The decision has also been questioned by Liverpool fans on social media.
Mourinho says "somebody with intention is putting such a pressure" on Taylor, who supports non-league Altrincham.
Similar scrutiny last season led to the removal of Leicester-based official Kevin Friend from Tottenham's game at Stoke, when Spurs and the Foxes were both going for the title.