Manchester United are in a defensive crisis ahead of this weekend’s game against Chelsea with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez sidelined.
Harry Maguire unavailable for Chelsea (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
The Football Association has confirmed that Harry Maguire has been handed a further one-match suspension and will miss Manchester United’s match against Chelsea.
The 33-year-old England defender was sent off against Bournemouth last month and missed Monday night’s 2-1 defeat at Leeds as a result. However, he will also miss Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge due to the FA’s misconduct charges.
On Wednesday, the FA announced that the charges had been cleared following an independent inquiry. A statement read: “The independent regulatory commission has handed Manchester United FC’s Harry Maguire a one-match suspension and a £30,000 fine.
The defender was charged after being sent off in the 78th minute of the Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on Friday, March 20.
“It is alleged that after his dismissal, Mr Harry Maguire behaved inappropriately and used abusive and derogatory language and behavior towards a fourth official.”
read more: Manchester United gives positive verdict of red card for Lisandro Martinez before appealread more: Manchester United eyeing transfers for two Bournemouth players as interest in Andoni Iraola grows
The written reasons for the ban also include accusations that Maguire said to the fourth official as he left the field: “You guys are joking.”
Maguire disputed the details of the incident, instead suggesting he framed the situation as a joke rather than an abuse of officials.
However, the hearing determined the official’s report was filed close to the time of the incident, although Mr Maguire claimed he had doubts about his accurate recollection.
Maguire was sent off against Bournemouth last month (Image: Warren Little, Getty Images)
Maguire’s absence will be a big blow for Michael Carrick, but Lisandro Martinez will also not be called up after the Argentine was sent off against Leeds. Youngsters Lenny Yolo and Aiden Haven could therefore start Saturday’s crucial game against Chelsea.
United plan to appeal Martinez’s red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair on the grounds that the defender did not forcefully pull the hair as both players aimed for the ball.
It remains to be seen whether Martinez’s suspension will be reduced, but former Premier League referee Mark Halsey felt it was unfortunate that Martinez was sent off for the incident.
“The game between Man United and Leeds at Old Trafford was a big story and Martinez was sent off for violent behavior,” Halsey told The Sun.
Lisandro Martinez was sent off against Leeds and will miss the match against Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)
“If you look at what happened, the ball was played all the way to Calvert-Lewin and Martinez was right there.
“When two players are challenging for the ball, the defender is always feeling the player in front of him with his arms. Now Paul Tierney is playing on, but he can’t see anything and the play is stopped.”
“VAR recommended an investigation into Martinez’s violent act of pulling his hair. Is it a clear mistake for VAR to get involved? In my opinion, this is not an act of violence. It is a very harsh act.”
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