Harry Maguire will miss Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea after being handed an additional one-match ban for improper conduct.
An independent regulatory commission charged Maguire on April 1 for acting in an “improper manner” after swearing at fourth official Matt Donohue following his red card against Bournemouth on March 20.
The England international was reacting to being sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity when he pushed Cherries forward Evanilson, before Eli Junior Kroupi scored from the spot to equalise in added time.
He missed the 2-1 defeat to Leeds on Monday while serving his suspension for the red card, and will now miss the trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday due to the additional ban.
The 33-year-old admitted to the offence and was also handed a £30,000 fine.
The FA’s written reasons revealed Donohue claimed Maguire said: “You’re a joke, you’re all a f****** joke,” as he left the field.
Maguire claimed he did not insult the fourth official but said “something along the lines of ‘it is a f****** joke’.”
A statement from the FA on April 1 read: “It is alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.”
United will now be without both Maguire and Lisandro Martinez against Chelsea after the Argentina centre-back was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair during the defeat to Leeds.
What options do Man Utd have without Maguire and Martinez?
Analysis by Fergus Stevenson:
With Harry Maguire now suspended for the game against Chelsea, Manchester United’s centre-back options are thin on the ground once again.
Lisandro Martinez is also banned after being dismissed for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin during Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds, and Matthijs de Ligt is still sidelined with a back injury that has kept him out since November.
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are United’s only natural centre-backs, but both have shown their inexperience this season, most notably Yoro in the defeat at Old Trafford on Monday.
Luke Shaw is perhaps a more tried and tested option, but the physical challenge of Joao Pedro could cause Carrick to pursue a more conventional option.
Casemiro played centre-back when the squad was stretched under Erik ten Hag but it feels unlikely Carrick would restrict his side’s limited options in midfield further, especially when Kobbie Mainoo’s involvement is uncertain.
A final, more abstract option might be to delve into their deep youth ranks. Eighteen-year-old Godwill Kukonki would be the obvious option as he featured in several matchday squads under Ruben Amorim.
Carrick may find himself swayed to make that call by impressive performances by other young centre-backs in recent seasons, most notably Willy Kambwala in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in April 2024.
A tough dilemma for the United boss as he looks to bounce back from a first home defeat in charge.
