Manchester United's Harry Maguire will be absent for the upcoming match against Chelsea due to an additional one-match ban imposed for his improper conduct. Following his red card against Bournemouth on March 20, Maguire was charged by an independent regulatory commission on April 1 for behaving in an "improper manner" towards fourth official Matt Donohue. Maguire's reaction came after he was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity when he pushed Bournemouth's Evanilson, leading to Eli Junior Kroupi's equalizing penalty kick in added time. Having already missed the 2-1 loss to Leeds while serving his initial suspension, Maguire will now miss the trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday due to the additional ban.
For a better video experience, please use the Chrome browser. The 33-year-old admitted to the offense and received a £30,000 fine. 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, while Maguire claimed he did not insult the official but said something like "it is a f****** joke." The latest Manchester United news and transfer updates are available. You can download the Sky Sports app for more information.
On April 1, the FA released a statement saying, "It is alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior towards the fourth official following his dismissal." Manchester United will now be without both Maguire and Lisandro Martinez for the Chelsea match, as Martinez was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during the Leeds defeat. For a better video experience, please use the Chrome browser.
Fergus Stevenson's analysis: With Harry Maguire suspended for the Chelsea game, Manchester United's center-back options are limited once again. Lisandro Martinez is also banned after being dismissed for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair during the 2-1 defeat to Leeds, and Matthijs de Ligt is still out with a back injury that has kept him sidelined since November. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are United's only natural center-backs, but they have shown their inexperience this season, particularly Yoro in the Old Trafford defeat on Monday. Luke Shaw is a more experienced option, but the physical challenge posed by Joao Pedro might lead Carrick to opt for a more conventional choice.
Casemiro played center-back when the squad was stretched under Erik ten Hag, but it seems unlikely that Carrick would restrict his side's limited midfield options further, especially with Kobbie Mainoo's involvement uncertain. A possible option could be to delve into the team's deep youth ranks, with 18-year-old Godwill Kukonki being the obvious choice, having featured in several matchday squads under Ruben Amorim. Carrick may consider this option due to impressive performances by other young center-backs in recent seasons, such as Willy Kambwala in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in April 2024.
This presents a tough dilemma for the United boss as he seeks to bounce back from his first home defeat in charge. You can play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k by entering for free.