Man United sent new referee verdict as Manuel Ugarte ban truth emerges
Former referee Keith Hackett expected Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte to be banned after allegedly headbutting Kai Havertz during the FA Cup victory over Arsenal.
After an uneventful first half, tempers flared in the second as United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes, only to be pegged back by a Gabriel Magalhaes equaliser following Diogo Dalot's dismissal for a second bookable offence. However, the match reached boiling point with 20 minutes to go when Harry Maguire was adjudged to have fouled Havertz in the area.
A penalty was awarded sparking a mass confrontation in the box as United players were left incensed with Havertz. During the confrontation, Ugarte appeared to headbutt the German however no punishment was awarded to the midfielder with VAR not in operation.
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In his Daily Telegraph column, Hackett was adamant that Ugarte could be receiving a retrospective ban from the FA. "There is a lot going on when you have a mass confrontation in front of you," he wrote.
"I was the guy in the middle when these two teams clashed at Old Trafford many years ago. The Football Association will no doubt investigate this by charging both teams for failing to control their players.
"I am convinced they will look closely at that illegal use of the head. In my opinion, there was a clear headbutt from Ugarte and this should have been seen and acted upon.
"I will be disappointed if the FA does not take action. The FA will contact the match officials knowing that they will have the referees’ report in front of them by 9am on Monday morning.
"The match officials will be asked what they saw in relation to a potential headbutt. If they say they have not then the FA will take that into account and there is a risk that the player will be charged retrospectively, along with both teams."
The FA have since communicated that further disciplinary action against Manchester United will not be taken after the FA Cup third round match at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.