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One Manchester United player is just two yellow cards away from a two-match suspension
Manchester United have two weeks until their return to Premier League as the international break takes centre stage. The Red Devils went into the break on a high as they beat Leicester City 3-0 just a few days after advancing to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in the second leg of their round of 16 clash.
Ruben Amorim’s side return to action against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, April 1 before they take on Manchester City in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on April 6. Amorim had a host of injury problems for the win over the Foxes but is hoping to have the likes of Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo back after the international break. United are also waiting for further clarification on the injury sustained by Ayden Heaven early in the second half at the King Power Stadium.
United suspension concern
Amid their injury problems, Amorim will be keen to avoid any fit players being handed a suspension for their final stretch of games. Patrick Dorgu has finished his three-game ban after being sent off against Ipswich Town.
Meanwhile, midfielder Manuel Ugarte has picked up eight yellow cards and is just a couple of cautions away from being hit with a two-game Premier League suspension. Premier League rules state that any player booked 10 times within a clubs opening 32 games will be suspended for two matches.
Suspensions relating to an accumulation of bookings do not carry over into other competitions, so if Ugarte is suspended he will still be eligible to feature in the Europa League quarter-final with Ligue 1 side Lyon. The slate will only be wiped clean for Ugarte after United's 32nd Premier League game, which is against Newcastle United on April 12. Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are both on seven yellow cards for the season. Martinez is not set to play again this season, however, due to a serious knee injury.
Ugarte’s recent disciplinary record
If Ugarte is booked against Forest and City he will be banned for games against Newcastle and Wolves. If he is booked against one of City or Forest and then also against Newcastle, he will be absent for matches with Wolves and Bournemouth.
Ugarte has been booked in five of his last 10 games in all the Premier League. He was booked five times in seven matches but has avoided being booked in each of his last three outings. He was cautioned in three-straight matches against Brighton and Hove Albion, Fulham and Crystal Palace but has improved his discipline since.
The midfielder was on the end of some praise from his manager back in January after he delivered a strong performance in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Amorim said: “I think he has become better with the ball since then, and in playing between the lines.
“He’s continued to be an aggressive player, but I think he has improved in many ways. He is from Uruguay, which can help, but he is a good example. It is a really important position in the team, so it was easier to pass the [tactical] message to Ugarte, but I think others are also improving.”
In other news, United’s rivals Man City have been told they won't suffer same fate as Rangers as verdict on 115 charges 'expected' soon.