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Premier League

Manchester United star suspended due to little-known Premier League rule

Ruben Amorim’s side take on Southampton at Old Trafford on Thursday but will be without a key player in the new head coach’s system.

Why isn't Diogo Dalot playing for Manchester United?
HENRY NICHOLLSAFP

Manchester United enjoyed a statement victory over Arsenal last weekend, beating the Gunners on penalties after a hard-fought FA Cup clash.

United’s performance at the Emirates Stadium was made even more impressive by the fact that they played the final 60 minutes of the tie with ten men, following a red card to Diogo Dalot on the hour-mark.

Suspensions do not always transfer between different competitions but red cards in the FA Cup do carry over to league fixtures. As such, Dalot is suspended for the Premier League visit of Southampton on Thursday.

The rule was changed for the 2019/20 season and red card suspensions now apply across all domestic competitions in England. Last year Amad Diallo received a second yellow card after scoring a dramatic late winner in the FA Cup win over Liverpool. He served his suspension in the following Premier League game against Brentford, allowing him to return to the squad for the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry.

Who will replace Diogo Dalot for Manchester United?

The arrival of Amorim has brought a sense of change to Old Trafford, most notable in the way that his team now lines up. During a successful spell with Sporting CP Amorim stuck to a 3-4-3 system with wingbacks that places huge physical demands on the two wide players.

Dalot is one of few players in United squad that appears suited to the demanding position, making the search for a replacement tricky. Tyrell Malacia came on to replace Dalot at Arsenal but he only recently returned from major knee surgery. Naoussair Mazraoui could switch from the right flank, while Toby Collyer has also featured at left-back in the past. It’s a tough decision for Amorim, but one that the new boss is relishing.

“That is really important, to have these opportunities to see other players, to change the team sometimes to have fresh legs, fresh minds. So it’s an opportunity for another player,” Amorim told MUTV.

“We just have some doubts on players who were really tired in the last game,” he continued. “We cannot afford to lose players for many games and our players are ready to cope with the demands of the game. There are no changes in the players available.”

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