Mark Halsey, 45 years old and originally from Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire but now based in Bolton, Lancashire, takes charge of us for the 2nd time this season as we play Portsmouth in the Premiership later today.

His one United game so far this season was our 2-0 loss at Liverpool, where we had numerous strong penalty appeals waved away. He refereed this corresponding fixture last season, as we won Glenn Roeder’s 1st game as Caretaker boss 2-0, with Alan Shearer scoring his 201st goal for the club in the process.

Halsey replaces Mike Riley, who was originally appointed to the game but swapped games with Halsey after Mark was appointed to a UEFA Cup tie on Thursday. Riley instead took West Ham’s win over Sheffield United.