Man Utd vs Tottenham: Chris Kavanagh referee stats and controversy ahead of Super Sunday showdown

Manchester United's welcome of Tottenham deserves the Super Sunday slot as the two top four rivals lock horns at Old Trafford this afternoon. United come into this game unbeaten in four in all competitions, but have been held to respective draws with Crystal Palace and Twente over the past week. 

Spurs, meanwhile, have won three on the spin, beating Coventry, Brentford and Qarabag in the EFL Cup, Premier League and Europa League, respectively. They'll hope to land a fourth successive victory and end a three-match winless run at Old Trafford in the process. 

Much of the focus, though, will be on the man in the middle. Chris Kavanagh is the referee at Old Trafford this afternoon, and it's arguable that he is an official that benefits Spurs. Indeed, the north London side have a win ratio of 62.5% in the 16 games Kavanagh has officiated, while United have a 53.8% win percentage from 13 matches. 

Interestingly enough, both United and Spurs have returned a 50% win ratio in home and away games, respectively, Kavanagh has refereed in his career, which suggests a draw may be on the cards. 

Fans shouldn't expect much in the way of cards at Old Trafford today with Kavanagh in charge, however. Spurs have received 1.5 yellow cards per game Kavanagh has officiated, that figure rising to two yellow cards per game for United. Kavanagh is yet to send a United or Tottenham player off in his career. 

However, Arsenal fans will remember Kavanagh, and for the wrong reasons. Kavanagh was the man in the middle for arguably the most controversial decision in the Premier League this season after he sent Declan Rice off in Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Brighton at the end of August.