Manchester United have more trouble on their hands ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Saturday night
Head Coach Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth before the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, England.
Andoni Iraola could be open to joining Manchester United(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Manchester United have been hit with more bad news as Harry Maguire has been ruled out of Saturday's game against Chelsea. The FA officially confirmed on Wednesday that the veteran defender will serve an extra match suspension as well as a £30,000 fine for "acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive words towards the fourth official."
This throws a spanner into Michael Carrick's plans, with Lisandro Martinez also facing a ban for his hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin in Monday's 2-1 loss to Leeds. The United manager will need to reshuffle the defensive pack ahead of the crucial clash at Stamford Bridge.
Andoni Iraola's potential first signings
Andoni Iraola has confirmed he will be departing Bournemouth at the end of the season after turning down offers to extend his contract. United have previously been linked with appointing the Spaniard, with reports suggesting the Cherries boss would be open to a switch.
If United were to hire Iraola, he could tempt two current Bournemouth stars to join him at Old Trafford. The Daily Mail reports that Marcos Senesi and Eli Junior Kroupi have both been "considered" by the Manchester outfit.
Eli Junior Kroupi of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Marcos Senesi during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
Iraola could tempt the Bournemouth duo to Manchester United(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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Senesi is set to become a free agent in the summer, making his transfer pretty straightforward. However, Kroupi is just 19 years old and is tied to Bournemouth until 2030.
The striker's current stats, which include 10 goals this season, have led a number of Europe's top clubs to register an interest. SunSport reports that the Cherries want Kroupi to become their "first-ever £80million player," meaning United may have to fend off other sides for his signature.
Jadon Sancho update
Jadon Sancho has been told by boss Unai Emery that it is "too soon" to consider a permanent stay at Aston Villa. The on-loan United star has four goal contributions to his name in Birmingham and is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.
Jadon Sancho of Villa looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on March 22, 2026 in Birmingham, England.
Jadon Sancho has received a transfer update(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Emery remains adamant that the club are only concerned by on-field matters at present. "We are focused 100 per cent on our objective, and to speak about the individual futures doesn't make sense," he said.
Speaking specifically about Sancho, Emery added: "We spoke a lot during the season with him and me, especially about his task with us, how we need his performance and his qualities.
"But now it is about tomorrow. He is coming back (from injury), and he is a fantastic player, and he needs to be consistent."
Emery said of Sancho's absence: "It is a pity that he was injured in the last weeks because he finished before the break, fantastic. Now we are playing matches to check everything and to get our objective collectively. Hopefully, we can get the best of him, and this is our challenge as well."
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