Fulham host Manchester United at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Sunday (September 20th). Both sides have made disappointing starts to the season and will be eager to head into the international break with a win.
Alvaro Arbeloa replaced Marco Silva in the summer but is still waiting for his first league win. He comes up against Michael Carrick who is under pressure following two consecutive defeats including a 3-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup.
Meet Fulham vs Manchester United Referee Peter Bankes
Peter Bankes will referee Fulham vs Manchester United in Premier League Matchweek 5, with the fixture scheduled for 4:30 pm BST on Sunday, September 20, at Craven Cottage.
Bankes will referee the fixture just days after officiating Arsenal’s League Cup third-round win at Ipswich Town. His performance in that match drew criticism over several decisions involving the Gunners.
The 44-year-old is a Pro Ref referee who has been officiating in the Premier League since 2019. He has taken charge of four league matches so far this season, issuing eight yellow cards and one red for an average of 4.5 cards per game.
Bankes has averaged 4.0 cards per game across 29 matches over a longer period, making his current rate slightly higher.
His most recent appointment came in the Carabao Cup, where he refereed Arsenal's 4-2 third-round win at Ipswich Town on Tuesday. It was his third straight Arsenal appointment in the competition, following the Chelsea semi-final second leg and Manchester City final last season.
The Ipswich game also saw a controversial moment involving Bankes. He allowed Ipswich's second goal, scored by Chuba Akpom, to stand after Arsenal players appealed that Myles Lewis-Skelly had been impeded in the build-up.
There was no VAR review available because the Carabao Cup only uses the system from the semi-final stage onwards, meaning the decision on the pitch stood. Lewis-Skelly reacted angrily after the goal before being calmed down by his manager and teammates.
Bankes has taken charge of 15 Arsenal matches, with the Gunners winning 10 of them. He has also refereed Ipswich on eight previous occasions, making Tuesday's tie his ninth match involving the Suffolk club.
Who is Assisting Peter Bankes?
Bankes will be assisted on the touchline by Dan Cook and Alex James, with Chris Kavanagh named as the fourth official.
Nick Hopton takes charge of VAR duties from Stockley Park, with Adam Nunn serving as his assistant.
Match Details and Team News
Craven Cottage has a capacity of 29,589. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK. Fulham come into the game with a league record of three defeats in their last four outings.
Josh King is their leading scorer with two goals, while captain Tom Cairney is ruled out until October with a knee injury.
Manchester United have recorded one win, two defeats and one draw in their opening four league matches, with Bruno Fernandes leading the scoring charts on three goals.
The visitors are also dealing with several injuries, with Amad Diallo, midfielder Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt, Tom Heaton, and Manuel Ugarte all ruled out. Luke Shaw is doubtful with a hamstring issue and those absences increase the importance of discipline and game management for United on the road.
Bankes’ card averages and willingness to issue yellows and reds a tangible factor in how both teams approach the 90 minutes at Craven Cottage.
