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. The decision was made by an independent regulatory commission after Maguire was charged on April 1 for behaving in an "improper manner" towards fourth official Matt Donohue following his red card against Bournemouth on March 20.
Maguire's reaction came after he was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity when he pushed Evanilson, leading to a penalty that was scored by Eli Junior Kroupi in added time. Having already served a suspension for the red card, missing the 2-1 defeat to Leeds, Maguire will now miss the Chelsea match due to the additional ban. The 33-year-old admitted to the offense and was fined £30,000. According to the FA's written reasons, Donohue claimed Maguire said, "You're a joke, you're all a f****** joke," as he left the field, although Maguire claimed he did not insult the official but said something similar to "it is a f****** joke." Manchester United will now face Chelsea without Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, who was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during the Leeds match.
Analysis by Fergus Stevenson: Harry Maguire's suspension for the Chelsea game leaves Manchester United with limited centre-back options. Lisandro Martinez is also banned, and Matthijs de Ligt is still injured, leaving Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as the only natural centre-backs, although both have shown inexperience this season.
Luke Shaw could be a more experienced option, but the physical challenge of Joao Pedro might lead to a more conventional choice. Casemiro has played centre-back in the past, but restricting midfield options further seems unlikely. Another option could be to use youth players, with 18-year-old Godwill Kukonki being a potential choice, especially considering the impressive performances of young centre-backs like Willy Kambwala in recent seasons.