Manchester United defender at risk of Premier League suspension vs Man City
Defender Harry Maguire will be walking a disciplinary tightrope when Manchester United make the short trip to the Etihad Stadium to face neighbours Manchester City in Sunday's derby.
Maguire, who was an unused substitute in United's 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen on Thursday evening, is just one yellow card away from being handed a one-match suspension in the Premier League.
The defender, who has made three appearances since returning from injury earlier this month, earned his fourth yellow card of the campaign in the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium a little over a week ago.
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Premier League rules state that any player who amasses five yellow cards within their club's opening 19 games of the campaign must serve a one-match suspension. Both Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo missed the aforementioned defeat to Arsenal after each earning their fifth booking of the season in the 4-0 win over Everton three days earlier.
Maguire has been booked in four of his eight Premier League appearances this season, meaning he has averaged a yellow card every two games. He was cautioned against Fulham, Southampton, Aston Villa and Arsenal.
Amid United head coach Ruben Amorim's rotation policy and the tight turnaround between Thursday night's win in the Czech Republic and Sunday's clash with City, it is not beyond the realms of possibility for Maguire to be drafted back into the starting XI, although Leny Yoro will also be vying for a recall.
The Frenchman was also an unused substitute for the midweek Europa League triumph, meaning he could be handed just his second competitive start for United against Pep Guardiola's side. He stored 66 minutes under his belt from the start in last Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
No other United player will head into Sunday's derby at immediate risk of being handed a one-match suspension. Beyond Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Manuel Ugarte are the next players closest to a one-match suspension, each currently sitting on three yellow cards apiece.