Mark Clattenburg revealed which Derby was his favorite for referee in English in the latest episode of The Mail's Whistleblowers Podcast.
The former referee took the lead for nearly 300 Premier League matches during his 27-year career in football.
After England, Clattenburg took the lead for the 2016 Champions League final and the euro final between Portugal and France.
Although the boy's fan Newcastle praised the 'unique' Tyne-Wear Derby, Clattenburg selected another brightly disputed fixture as his favorite derby in England.
“The derby I always looked into was Liverpool against Manchester United,” Clattenburg said the podcast.
'With other derby's, such as Tottenham versus Arsenal, the players would be too friendly for the game – Kissing and hugging. They were all neighbors, all friends. But Liverpool-United was different.
'History was great to be part of, but it was the players who made it special. They would not speak with each other in the tunnel. They would not talk to each other during the team exchange.
'There was just no love lost between that set of players. Of course, England found that at tournaments – there were no friendships, no team spirit.
“Those derby's were just so furious.”
Clattenburg took the lead on the controversial 2014 Liverpool-United Derby where Liverpool won 3-0 at Old Trafford after receiving three penalties.
The referee also caused upset after broadcasting the Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic for a tackle on Daniel Sturridge who did not show contact later.
The result turned out to be the last drop for the United board, who fired David Moyes manager two days later.
Clattenburg gave an honorable mention to the Birmingham Derby, especially when played in St. Andrews.
He argued that Derby matches from his referee matches were more atmospheric when they were organized by the 'smaller' team in a city.
“I also love referee Birmingham-Aston Villa,” Clattenburg told Co-host and Omroep Gordon Smart.
'It always seemed to me that the games that were organized by the club that have not been so successful were more atmospheric.
“Everton-liverpool, for example, that game was always more difficult in goodison-the same with Tottenham-Arsenal in White Hart Lane.”
Clattenburg and Smart were accompanied this week by Football Influencer and Chelsea Fan Rory Jennings.
Jennings agreed that the Birmingham Derby deserved an honorable mention, but the old company described as the undisputed best derby in Great Britain.
The old company sees Celtic and Rangers collide in a rivalry that is steeped in ancient religious, political and social gap.
“There are these hipsters who say river plate versus boca juniors,” said Jennings.
'But for me there is only one good answer – the old company Derby, Rangers versus Celtic. From what I have experienced – there is nothing like what happens in Glasgow on Derby Day. '