Manchester United face selection crisis for Chelsea clash after double update | OneFootball

Michael Carrick has a decision to make in defence after two huge blows

Maguire had been handed a one-game ban for his red card at Bournemouth last month, but the Football Association has now extended the ban by a further game after ruling that the defender swore at fourth official Matt Donohue during the incident. Maguire has also been fined £30,000 as a result.

A statement from the FA read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a one-match suspension and £30,000 fine on Manchester United FC’s Harry Maguire.

“The defender was charged after being sent off in the 78th minute of their Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on Friday 20 March.

“It was alleged that Harry Maguire acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.

“The defender subsequently admitted the charge. The Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing and its written reasons for them can be seen attached.

“United had appealed against Martinez’s suspension, which was given after a VAR review, but the FA rejected the appeal and the Argentine defender is now set to miss games against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool.”

Speaking after the Leeds game, Michael Carrick labelled the decision to send Martinez off as “shocking” and said it was one of the worst VAR decisions he had seen.

"It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off. Worst of all is he was sent to overturn it as a clear and obvious error. It's shocking," he told Sky Sports.

"He's off-balance because of that, he half touches the back of his hair which pulls the bobble out and leads it to look like - I don't even know what it looks like.

"That's two games in a row we've had those decisions go against us, but that one was one of the worst I've seen."

Without Maguire and Martinez, United are left short of options in central defence ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils saw their Champions League aspirations take a hit earlier this week as they lost at home to Leeds in the league for the first time since 1981.

Carrick has made a positive impression since taking over from Ruben Amorim until the end of the season.

Results have, however, dipped in the last month, with United winning just one of their last four games.

United remain in pole position to secure Champions League football with six games to go, though, and are seven points ahead of sixth-place Chelsea.