Manchester United's Harry Maguire has been handed an additional one-match ban for misconduct, resulting in his absence from the upcoming trip to Chelsea. An independent regulatory commission charged Maguire with improper conduct after he swore at the fourth official, Matt Donohue, following his red card against Bournemouth. Maguire admitted to the offense and was fined £30,000. The incident occurred when Maguire was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, and he reacted by pushing Cherries forward Evanilson.
He will now miss the trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday due to the additional ban. The FA's written reasons revealed that Donohue claimed Maguire insulted him, but Maguire claimed he did not insult the official. United will now be without both Maguire and Lisandro Martinez against Chelsea, as Martinez was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during the defeat to Leeds.
With Maguire suspended, Manchester United's centre-back options are limited, with Lisandro Martinez also banned and Matthijs de Ligt still injured. The team's only natural centre-backs, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, have shown inexperience this season.
Luke Shaw is a possible option, but the physical challenge of Joao Pedro may lead to a more conventional choice. Casemiro played centre-back under Erik ten Hag, but it is unlikely that Carrick will restrict the team's midfield options further.
A potential option could be to use a young centre-back from the deep youth ranks, such as 18-year-old Godwill Kukonki.