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Friend reunited at the Etihad
Written by Dan King
Kevin Friend will be the referee when Newcastle travel to champions Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm BST).
The Leicester-based official's last United game was a 3-0 Emirates FA Cup loss at Chelsea in January. He also took charge of a 3-1 league defeat at Stamford Bridge a month earlier, and last October's 2-2 draw at Southampton.
So far this term, he's been the man in the middle three times in all competitions, showing nine yellow cards. Last season, he showed just one red card and 33 yellow cards in 66 matches.
Friend started refereeing at the age of 14, and was the man in the middle for the 2013 League Cup final.
On Saturday he will be assisted by Simon Bennett and Derek Eaton. Craig Pawson will be the fourth official.