Wayne Rooney posts picture with Ed Sheeran - after Mark Clattenburg was banned for going to the pop star's concert

The referee and Manchester United captain have a mixed history

(Twitter/Wayne Rooney)

Mark Clattenburg has been suspended for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures for travelling alone on his way to an Ed Sheeran concert – and it would seems as if the pop star is the Premier League’s singer of choice.

This morning Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, who is a doubt for the Manchester derby on Sunday after being seen limping, posted a rather timely picture of himself and Sheeran.

Could the two have travelled to see the pop star together?

Unfortunately not, as Sheeran was at the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester on Tuesday night; Clattenburg saw Sheeran at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Saturday.

The two have clashed this season, when Rooney was incensed at Clattenburg’s decision to award Leicester City a controversial penalty during the embarrassing 5-3 defeat at the King Power Stadium.

Rooney berates Clattenburg at Leicester earlier this season (Getty Images)

Back in 2011, the referee, now seen as one of the best officials in the division, admitted he almost quit the game after the abuse he got when he failed to spot Rooney elbow James McCarthy, then of Wigan.

Clattenburg was accused of being overly friendly with Rooney, who deserved to be sent off.

Clattenburg was accused of being overly friendly with Rooney when he elbowed James McCarthy in 2011 - Clattenburg almost quit the profession because of the criticism (Getty Images)

In this case, however, it is just coincidence.

Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie was also at the concert on Tuesday night, taking to Twitter to say: "Just experienced a great performance by @edsheeran He's so talented, what a voice!!"