To be honest, any ref at this point would've been a stupid decision because they're all awful but when it comes to the awful-est of the lot, Michael Oliver is right up there.
He along with Anthony Taylor are the worst of the worst and are apparently the best officials in England.
I guess that tells you the standard of refereeing in the country.
But it has been confirmed that Oliver will take charge of our trip to Anfield. As if we didn't have much against us already, right?
Oliver was in charge of this fixture last season in which United somehow managed to get a 0-0 draw. Something like that this Sunday will be even more of a miracle yet I don't think there's any United fan that would be opposed to that result.
As LFC are miles better than us, the chances of us getting any sort of result is slim to none. To then put a ref in charge that has screwed United on many occasions in the past makes things even worse.
In this game last year, Oliver ended up sending Diogo Dalot off in the dying minutes after showing him two yellow cards in the space of a couple of seconds.
Yes, a couple of seconds.
Dalot also did fuck all wrong.
In fact, Oliver gave a throw in to Liverpool when the final touch came off Salah. The throw in should've gone the other way. Dalot then lashed out a little as he was rightfully upset given the time and situation of the game.
Dalot was still annoyed at the decision and was then shown a second yellow just seconds after the first for who knows what reason.
NOBODY could believe it. I don't think anyone associated with Liverpool could believe it either.
No common sense was used here either. A big game, heat of the moment, wrong decision, of course the player is going to lash out a little. Just let it go.
Luckily for Oliver, that stupid call didn't end up costing us as the game ended in a stalemate. Even still, for a senior referee to give a red card for that?! C'mon. Even the first yellow was unnecessary as he gave the wrong decision that perhaps could've cost United.
In last season's 3-0 loss to City, the eventual champions were awarded a soft penalty after Hojlund seemingly 'pulled' Rodri to the ground. The Spaniard made the most of it and while the on field referee Paul Tierney didn't give anything, Oliver stepped in on VAR and told him to have a look at it on the monitor. Tierney then gave the penalty to which Haaland scored.
A similar incident happened this season as this was also the referee who advised on field referee David Coote to go and look at the monitor after a very, very soft 'foul' from De Ligt on Danny Ings in the penalty box in United's 2-1 loss at West Ham.
That defeat ultimately led to Erik ten Hag's sacking (which most people would've been happy with) but still didn't mean the wrong decision had to be made.
This decision was one that appeared as if the ref was looking for a problem where there was none.
Oliver also seems to have something against captain Bruno Fernandes as well as he usually gives him yellow cards in most games. That could be a problem as the skipper has just returned from a suspension and against a high-flying Liverpool at Anfield, another suspension could be on the cards.
Giving us Oliver as official is the same as when Anthony Taylor is appointed to officiate Chelsea games. He seems to have something against the Blues and often gives decisions against them that make no sense and puts them in unnecessary trouble.
These two referees shouldn't be officials in the Premier League. They are simply not good enough and cause more problems than anything.
Can't believe Oliver is the ref for Sunday 😳🤦♂️.
Background Image: Diogo Dalot receives a controversial second yellow from referee Michael Oliver in Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal