A record-breaking 37 failed attempts at goal aside, many Manchester United fans will tell you that Mark Clattenburg was a significant factor in their team’s failure to beat Burnley at the weekend.
As United dominated the match, Clattenburg was criticised for not giving the Red Devils a penalty on the stroke of half-time as Matteo Darmian appeared to be felled on the edge of the Burnley box.
The crowd (and Jose Mourinho) made their feelings known as the referee left the pitch for the break.
In the second half, Clattenburg once again angered the home crowd as he gave Ander Herrera a second yellow card for tripping Dean Marney after slipping.
His performance in the 0-0 draw prompted former referee Graham Poll to suggest that Clattenburg’s ‘Achilles heel’ was that he ‘gives nothing to a side once their fans turn against him’ but that’s not enough to stop good old Clatts from landing himself one of the biggest games of this weekend – the North London derby.
This will be the fifth time that Clattenburg has taken charge of a game between Arsenal and Spurs, with both teams having two wins apiece from the previous four games.
Oh, and here’s a stat to worry Spurs fans ahead of the trip to the Emirates…
Mark Clattenburg has given more Premier League penalties to Arsenal (8) than any other team https://t.co/cIQTaU5fn5
— Ben McAleer (@BenMcAleer1) November 1, 2016
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