Why is Harry Maguire not playing for Manchester United vs. Chelsea?
Why is Harry Maguire not playing for Manchester United vs. Chelsea?
Jon Arnold, USA TODAYSat, April 18, 2026 at 11:03 AM UTC
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Manchester United went into the weekend with just one healthy center back, in part because Harry Maguire was suspended from Saturday's match against Chelsea.
The Red Devils hoped to have Maguire back after he served the suspension he picked up for a red card in a March 20 draw with Bournemouth earlier in the week, but Maguire was given an extra game ban for improper conduct for comments made toward the fourth official as he was leaving the field.
Manchester United appealed the decision, but the appeal was rejected by the FA.
Maguire's absence adds to a huge headache for manager Michael Carrick. The defender's replacement for the Leeds match, Argentine center back Lisandro Martinez, saw red in that game for tugging an attacker's hair and will miss the Chelsea contest with his own suspension. Leny Yoro, the 20-year-old Frenchman who starts regularly, reportedly did not travel to London for the match because of an injury picked up in training.
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That leaves only 19-year-old Ayden Heaven as a healthy center back on the squad.
1 / 0Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonDominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United misses a headed chance while under pressure from Leny Yoro of Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. Leeds United won the match, 2-1.
"I know he’s in a good place," Carrick said of Heaven, who is in line for his first start since January. "He’s obviously still young and is progressing through the early stages of his career, so I think it’s pretty natural to play some games and not play others."
Left back Luke Shaw or right back Noussair Mazraoui may come in to play alongside Heaven. Both played in three-defender systems under previous Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim but would be out of their typical places in defense.
Maguire will be eligible to return when Manchester United hosts Brentford on April 27, but the Chelsea clash is a crucial one in he race for the European places. United currently sits third with 55 points ahead of sixth-place Chelsea, which has 48. Aston Villa and Liverpool between them also are pushing for the places in which they'd be assured UEFA Champions League action next season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harry Maguire suspension: Why Man United DF is out of lineup vs Chelsea
Source: “AOL Sports”
