David Coote is the referee as Newcastle take on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
The 40-year-old has overseen 20 games in total this season across the Premier League, Championship and Carabao Cup, and actually officiated Newcastle in his first ever Premier League game back in April 2018.
Despite Coote’s experience at the highest level, there are reasons for both Eddie Howe and Erik ten Hag to be concerned.
Newcastle vs Manchester United referee
Well, Coote was actually dropped by the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) back in October 2020 following a terrible performance in the 2-2 Merseyside derby draw between Liverpool and Everton.
Some of you may remember Jordan Pickford lunging into a challenge on Virgil van Dijk, which resulted in the Netherlands international suffering a serious knee injury, ruling him out for nine months.
Coote – according to the Daily Mail – forgot he was allowed to check the England international’s challenge, as he thought the Liverpool No.4 being offside nullified the tackle.
As a result, Coote was demoted to the Championship for a few games.
As detailed by Football London, Chelsea No.8 Mateo Kovacic has also been overheard calling Coote “the worst ref ever” – which should fill Newcastle and Manchester United fans with plenty of confidence ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
David Coote record for Newcastle and Manchester United games
Throughout his career in officiating, Coote has overseen 15 Newcastle games.
In those outings, the Magpies have won five, drawn two and lost eight – which doesn’t make for excellent reading, it must be said.
Coote has handed Newcastle 25 yellow cards in those 15 games – but never a red – while also awarding them two penalties.
In regards to the Red Devils, Coote has only officiated five Manchester United games.
Manchester United have never lost a game refereed by Coote, winning four and drawing one.
The 40-year-old has dished out eight yellow cards to the Red Devils in those outings, while awarding them one penalty.
Like he has with Newcastle, Coote is also yet to send anyone off in a game involving Manchester United.
You can see the other officiating appointments for the Carabao Cup final below, as announced on the English Football League’s official website.
Referee: David Coote
Assistant Referee: Nick Hopton
Assistant Referee: Tim Wood
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
Reserve Assistant Referee: Nick Greenhalgh
VAR: Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
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