Andre Marriner will referee next Monday's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
It had been reported that Howard Webb would be handed the role, but Marriner has been given the position for arguably the biggest game of the season thus far.
City moved to within three points of United in the Premier League table with their 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, while Sir Alex Ferguson's side dropped two points in a 4-4 draw with Everton.
Both sides have just three Premier League fixtures left to play.
