Manchester United's Harry Maguire has been given an additional one-match ban for misconduct and will miss the upcoming match against Chelsea. An independent regulatory commission charged Maguire with acting in an improper manner after using profanity towards fourth official Matt Donohue following his red card in the match against Bournemouth on March 20.
Maguire had been reacting to being sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity when he pushed Evanilson, and Eli Junior Kroupi subsequently scored from the spot to equalize. He has already served a suspension for the red card, missing the 2-1 defeat to Leeds, and will now miss the trip to Stamford Bridge due to the additional ban. Maguire admitted to the offense and was also fined £30,000. The FA's written reasons stated that Donohue claimed Maguire used insulting language towards him as he left the field, while Maguire claimed he did not insult the official but used a phrase similar to 'it is a joke.' With Maguire and Lisandro Martinez both suspended, Manchester United's center-back options are limited for the match against Chelsea.
Analysis suggests that United may have to rely on inexperienced or unconventional options, such as Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, or even 18-year-old Godwill Kukonki from the youth ranks, to fill the gap.