Premier League
Why isn’t Lisandro Martínez playing for Manchester United against Arsenal in the Premier League today?
Rubén Amorim is without Martínez and Kobbie Mainoo for Wednesday’s game against Arsenal at the Emirates, his toughest test so far on paper.
Rúben Amorim has had a positive start as the new head coach of Manchester United, with a 1-1 draw away to Ipswich followed by home victories over Bodø/Glimt (3-2) and Everton (4-0).
On Wednesday (December 4), the Portuguese can expect the toughest test of his short tenure so far when The Red Devils visit Arsenal in the Premier League, a challenge made tougher by the absences of Lisandro Martínez and Kobbie Mainoo.
Martinez has started 17 of United’s 21 fixtures in all competitions this season, which includes the last two games under Amorim. The Argentine didn’t play in his new coach’s debut in Ipswich as he was recovering from a back injury.
His absence this midweek has nothing to do with fitness, though. Martínez is instead unavailable to play against The Gunners as a result of the yellow card he picked up against Everton on Sunday. It was the central defender’s fifth in the Premier League this season, incurring a one-match suspension.
Why isn’t Kobbie Mainoo paying for Manchester United against Arsenal?
Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo misses the heavyweight clash at the Emirates for the same reason. The 19-year-old sat out four Premier League games before the November international break because of a muscle problem but also collected his fifth yellow card in the competition upon his return from injury at the weekend.
Mainoo is therefore also banned, leaving Amorim without two likely starters against Arsenal.
What are the Premier League’s yellow card suspension rules?
Premier League rules state that players who receive five yellow cards at any point in their first 19 games are given a one-match suspension. As the season progresses, any player who is booked 10 times in their first 32 games is then given a two-match ban.
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