Ruben Amorim stands in front of Matthijs de Ligt on the touchline.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim faces an anxious wait before the suspension cut-off. (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Manchester United have one player running a fine line on a possible suspension over the festive period.
Ruben Amorim suffered a first defeat of his tenure at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as they lost 2-0 to Arsenal. After beating Bodo/Glimt and Everton last week, United failed to maintain their unbeaten start under the recently-appointed Portuguese.
United's task of winning at the Emirates Stadium was made more difficult before a ball was kicked due to Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez's suspensions. Both players served a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards throughout the campaign so far.
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Both players picked up their fifth yellow cards of the 2024/2025 season in Sunday's 4-0 thumping of Everton. They became the side's first casualty of the suspension, but that particular issue could soon arise once again for Amorim.
After 14 games, Harry Maguire is currently on four yellow cards. Diogo Dalot and Manuel Ugarte are both on three with a number of players receiving two.
Fortunately for United, the threshold will increase to 10 bookings after the 19th league match, which will officially mark the halfway point of the season. That means Maguire will have to avoid a yellow card in the next five games against Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle.
Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford are all sitting on two bookings, meaning they could still be suspended if they collect three yellow cards in the next five games.
Away from United, Manchester City could be missing Bernardo Silva by the time the impending Manchester derby takes place. The playmaker is on four yellow cards - and would be suspended if he is booked against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.