It's Howard's Way This Sunday

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Howard Webb will take charge of Newcastle's Premier League fixture at home to Manchester United on Sunday (4pm kick-off).

It is the first time the Yorkshire-based official has been appointed to a Magpies match this season.

However, he is no stranger to overseeing games involving Alan Pardew's side, having refereed them five times during 2011/12 campaign, including the Tyne-Wear derby win at Sunderland and - coincidentally - that memorable 3-0 home victory over Manchester United in January

In total this term, the whistler has overseen six games across the Premier League and Champions League, issuing 24 yellow cards and two reds.

Webb, aged 41, began officiating in his local Rotherham leagues in 1989 and worked his way up the football pyramid before being added to the National List of Football League Referees in 2000.

He stepped up to the Select Group for the Premier League three years later, with his first match being a goalless draw between Fulham and Wolves in October 2003.

Webb is widely recognised as one of the best referees in the business and took charge of both the 2010 Champions League final and the 2010 World Cup final.

On Sunday at the Sports Direct Arena, he will be assisted by Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann, with Kevin Friend the game's fourth official.