Alan Wiley has been appointed to officiate Manchester United's visit to Hull on
27 December. It will be the first time Wiley has taken charge of a
Manchester United match since Sir Alex Ferguson claimed the
49-year-old was not fit enough to be a Premier League official.
Ferguson's accusation followed United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland
at Old Trafford on 3 October. "He was not fit enough for a game of
that standard," said the United manager after the game. "The pace
of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of
our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as
butcher's dogs.
"We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit. He was taking 30
seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was
ridiculous."
Ferguson later apologised for his remarks but was nevertheless
punished by the Football Association with a two- match touchline
ban.