- Manchester United’s Maguire received red card vs Bournemouth
- English defender could miss Chelsea match
- Deadline appeal is March 2nd
Harry Maguire could miss Manchester United’s trip to Stamford Bridge as well as the home clash with Leeds United after he was charged with acting improperly and using abusive language towards a fourth official.
A statement from the FA addressed the incident on X:
“Harry Maguire has been charged after being sent off in the 78th minute of Manchester United’s match against AFC Bournemouth on Friday 20th March. It’s alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal. Harry Maguire has until Thursday 2 April to provide a response.”
Maguire Could Face Longer Ban
Michael Carrick spoke after the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, in which he was sent off for bringing Junior Kroupi down in the box. He responded to questions regarding his centre-back’s red card offence:
“I’ve not really spoken with Harry, to be honest. I’ve not seen the decision. If he’s gone past him and he’s clean on goal, and he’s put an arm on him, then he’s given a penalty for that. That’s what’s happened when it’s all in the same game, there’s so many eyes on it and we didn’t get two of them. It is what it is, we coped after that [red card] really well. I’d rather take the positives.”
After earning an England call-up for the first time since 7 September 2024, Maguire looked to be on the rise.
England boss Thomas Tuchel suggested he was still down his pecking order on the international front despite playing in a 1-1 draw against Uruguay and a 1-0 defeat to Japan. The German said, “I haven’t changed my mind, but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile.”
Maguire’s hopes of travelling with the squad to North America for the World Cup are uncertain. At the age of 32, it seems like the Englishman might well have played his last major international tournament.
What next for United moving forward?
United will be hopeful of having Lisandro Martínez back from injury to partner Leny Yoro in the centre of defence. Matthijs de Ligt, on the other hand, has remained out since November with a back injury.
The Reds face an important stretch of games. With seven fixtures left, Carrick’s men must sustain their form to secure Champions League football.
They next face rivals Leeds United before travelling to fellow Champions League qualification contenders Chelsea. A battle with Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 3rd could prove a decisive clash in the race for a top-five finish.
Carrick will hope that his squad has enough left in them to power through these important fixtures. But he could be without Maguire for the next two games.
