The latest Manchester United news heading into their Europa League semi-final second leg.
Manchester United will face a somewhat depleted Athletic Club de Bilbao team in their Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford due to a UEFA ban from the reverse fixture.
Suspensions did not sideline anyone in Bilbao; however, all that changed 10 minutes before half-time. The on-field referee, Espen Eskas – following a VAR check – sent off Dani Vivian for fouling Rasmus Hojlund and awarded United a penalty, which was scored by Bruno Fernandes.
The incident also has ramifications for the return leg, as the centre-back will serve a one-match suspension owing to that red card. Vivian, though, is the only player who is banned.
That is because UEFA rules state yellow card accumulation, across semi-final ties, won’t count toward suspensions from this stage onwards. Article 52.04 in UEFA’s official rulebook details the specifics;
“All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.”
Bruno Fernandes, therefore, having three yellow cards during the earlier rounds, no longer matters. Neither does the fact that Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount and Leny Yoro received their second cautions of the competition last week.
Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt – plus Marcus Rashford – also had multiple bookings which were wiped. Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer and Tyrell Malacia also had one to their names.
As for Athletic Bilbao, they had several players facing disciplinary problems previously. Yeray Alvarez received a fourth yellow card last week, with Yuri Berchiche collecting a third less than 60 seconds after Vivian saw red.
Andoni Gorosabel, Inaki Williams, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Maroan Sannadi, Oihan Sancet, Oscar de Marcos and Vivian himself also have multiple to their names. Alex Berenguer, Alvaro Djalo, Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga, Nico Serrano, Nico Williams, Unai Gomez and Unai Simon were all on one caution.
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