Harry Maguire will miss Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea after receiving an additional one-match suspension for inappropriate conduct.
On April 1, the Independent Regulatory Commission accused Maguire of “inappropriate conduct” by verbally abusing fourth referee Matt Donoghue following his red card against Bournemouth on March 20.
The England international was reacting to his red card for denying a scoring opportunity when he pushed Cherries forward Evanilsson, and Eli Junior Crupi leveled the score in stoppage time with a penalty.
He missed Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds while serving a red card suspension, and a further suspension means he will also miss Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
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Harry Maguire was sent off for pulling Evanilson and Eli Junior Crupi converted the penalty to put Bournemouth level in the Premier League against Manchester United.
The 33-year-old admitted the offense and was also fined £30,000.
In the FA’s written reasons, Donoghue revealed that he claimed Maguire told him: “It’s a joke, it’s a complete joke” as he left the field.
Mr Maguire insisted he did not insult the fourth official, but said “something along the lines of ‘That’s a joke'”.
The FA released a statement on April 1, saying: “Following his dismissal, the defender is alleged to have used inappropriate, abusive and insulting language and behavior towards the fourth official.”
United will be without Maguire and Lisandro Martinez against Chelsea after the Argentina centre-back was sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair during the defeat against Leeds.
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On Match Officials Mic’d Up, PGMOL chief Howard Webb explained how Harry Maguire was right to be sent off for ‘DOGSO’ against Bournemouth.
What options do Manchester United have without Maguire and Martinez?
Analysis by Fergus Stevenson:
Manchester United’s centre-back options are once again stretched thin after Harry Maguire was suspended for the game against Chelsea.
Lisandro Martinez was also sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in Monday’s game against Leeds, while Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since November with a hip injury.
Lenny Yoro and Aiden Haven are United’s only natural centre-backs, but both have shown their inexperience this season, with Yoro particularly evident in Monday’s defeat at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw is probably the more proven option, but the physical challenge of Joao Pedro could mean Carrick pursues a more conventional option.
Manchester United defenders Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt
Casemiro played as a centre-back when the team was expanding under manager Erik ten Hag, but it feels unlikely that Carrick will further limit the team’s limited midfield options, especially with Koby Mainu’s involvement uncertain.
A final, more abstract option might be to delve deeper into the hierarchy of youth. Godwill Kukonki, 18, has featured in several matchday squads under manager Ruben Amorim and would be an obvious choice.
Carrick may be forced to make that decision due to the impressive performances of other young centre-backs in recent seasons, particularly Willie Kambwala in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in April 2024.
It poses a tough dilemma for the United manager, who is looking to bounce back from their first home defeat.
