The decision to appoint Anthony Taylor as the referee of Manchester United's match at Liverpool next Monday is "grossly unfair" on the official, according to former referees' chief Keith Hackett.
Taylor, who was born six miles away from Old Trafford in Wythenshawe, will take charge at Anfield for the biggest game in the upcoming round of fixtures when the Premier League resumes after the international break.
The 37-year-old, who reportedly supports non-league side Altrincham, has overseen seven Premier League matches this season, handing out 23 yellow cards.
"No-one is questioning Anthony's integrity or his ability to handle this game," Hackett, the former head of Professional Games Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), said in the Daily Telegraph.