Manchester United Europa League suspension fear as nightmare scenario begins to unfold

Manchester United are on cloud nine following an astonishing victory over Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday night.

With the Reds looking dead and buried following Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty, which made the tie 4-2 to Lyon on the night and 6-4 on aggregate, United dug deep to advance. A Bruno Fernandes penalty, Kobbie Mainoo’s strike and a last minute header from Harry Maguire – playing as a makeshift frontman – won the contest for the Reds and kept their hopes of Champions League football alive.

What’s more, United avoided suspensions to key midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro for the first leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. Both players were on two yellow cards prior to the second leg against Lyon and had they been booked at Old Trafford, they would have been suspended.

Manchester United Europa League suspension fear as nightmare scenario begins to unfold

The latest Man Utd news heading towards their Europa League semi-final showdown with Athletic Bilbao.

Manchester United are on cloud nine following an astonishing victory over Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday night.

With the Reds looking dead and buried following Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty, which made the tie 4-2 to Lyon on the night and 6-4 on aggregate, United dug deep to advance. A Bruno Fernandes penalty, Kobbie Mainoo’s strike and a last minute header from Harry Maguire – playing as a makeshift frontman – won the contest for the Reds and kept their hopes of Champions League football alive.

What’s more, United avoided suspensions to key midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro for the first leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. Both players were on two yellow cards prior to the second leg against Lyon and had they been booked at Old Trafford, they would have been suspended.

However, as they avoided a caution they are available to play in Bilbao and with all yellow cards now reset, they are no longer at risk of a suspension, at least simply by being booked. There is still a lingering concern for United’s entire squad, though.

Should any player receive a straight red card in either leg, they would miss the final of the Europa League should their side advance. If any player receives a second bookable dismissal, they will miss the next game, which would include the final if it occurs in the second leg at Old Trafford.

This nightmare scenario means United – and Athletic Club for that matter – will need to be extra vigilant with their decision-making as to avoid any unnecessary red cards. Bilbao managed to avoid a nightmare scenario of their own in midweek when they had six players at risk of suspension due to being on two yellow cards.

However, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Daniel Vivian, Maroan Sannadi, Andoni Gorosabel, Inaki Williams and Oscar de Marcos all avoided bookings to evade suspension. Yuri Berchiche was also on two yellow cards, but missed their clash with Rangers due to injury.