Halsey to ref red hot Carling Cup clash

Mark Halsey has been handed the onerous task refereeing the potentially explosive Carling Cup tie between Manchester United and Arsenal on December 1.

Although both sides are expected to field teams made up of reserve and junior players, the lingering bad feeling between the two clubs following Arsenal’s last trip to Old Trafford left the Football League with little alternative other than to appoint one of the most experienced referees for the game.