Lucas Paqueta was sent off for West Ham and will miss the Manchester United matchplaceholder image
Lucas Paqueta was sent off for West Ham and will miss the Manchester United match | Sky Sports
Man Utd host West Ham United in the Premier League on Thursday night and the away side will be without a key player.
West Ham United have been handed a huge blow ahead of their trip to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim's side head into the match on a high after they came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace over the weekend, while West Ham will hope for a positive response after they lost at home to Liverpool.
The Hammers will have to show improvement from their latest performance, but they will have to do so without talisman Lucas Paqueta following his 'ridiculous' red card on Sunday afternoon. With his side already on course for defeat, Paqueta was booked twice in quick succession by referee Darren England for arguing over a decision to award a foul against his team.
It was a very avoidable red card and another setback for the Brazilian midfielder after he had only just returned to the West Ham side following a separate suspension.
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Lucas Paqueta suspended for United match
Lucas Paqueta claimed the "ridiculous behaviour" that resulted in his red card against Liverpool was a 'reflection of everything he has had to endure' in recent years. Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July by an independent regulatory commission following an almost two-year investigation from the Football Association.
Taking to social media after the weekend defeat, the 28-year-old responded to a post in which former West Ham star Rob Green criticised his behaviour. "It's ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation," Paqueta said. "Perhaps this ridiculous behaviour is just a reflection of everything I've had to endure and, it seems, have to continue enduring! I'm sorry if I'm not perfect.
"I understand that now I have to come across as the villain, it's hard to live with everything that was caused in my life and in my psyche. I'll keep trying to ensure they don't affect me even more. This doesn't justify my expulsion and that's why I apologise to the fans and my team-mates."
Speaking after the Liverpool defeat, West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo added: "I'm not going to comment too much. First of all I'm going to speak to Lucas and try to understand his frustrations and his behaviour."
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