Harry Maguire has been handed an extra one-match suspension by the FA after accepting a charge linked to his dismissal in the draw with Bournemouth. The FA determined that his conduct breached regulation E3.1 and that he must miss Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Referee Stuart Attwell recorded that Maguire had “approached” fourth official Matthew Donohue “to protest the decision” as he left the pitch. Donohue’s own report provided the fuller account: “In the 78th minute of the game, referee Stuart Attwell sent off Manchester United #5 Harry Maguire. After the VAR check was complete, Maguire, as he was leaving the field of play, approached me and shouted, ‘You’re a joke. You’re all a f—–g joke.’ I am reporting the matter to the Football Association for further review.”

The FA charge was brought under regulation E3.1, which addresses player and staff conduct. The rulebook states: “A Participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abuse, indecent or insulting words or behavior.” That was applied on top of the standard suspension for the red-card sending-off.

Maguire was not required to attend the disciplinary hearing and accepted the additional charge, resulting in the one-match suspension and a fine. A statement submitted on his behalf said: “I did not use abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official or any other Match Official.” He added: “As I left the field of play following my dismissal, I said something along the lines of ‘it is a f—–g joke.’ I am certain that I did not call the fourth official or any match official, a joke or use any other form of insult.”

A supporting witness, Joshua Zirkzee, said he did “not recall exactly what Harry said, but I recall that it was something along the lines of ‘it is a joke’ or ‘what a joke.’” Donohue acknowledged it was possible he “misheard or mis-recollected” being singled out as a “joke” and said: “I wouldn’t be able to respond to this with certainty,” but he later remained firm that he heard the words aimed at the group of officials: “I do remember hearing with clarity and remember thinking that the comment was aimed collectively at the group of officials. I would be prepared to say with certainty that these words were said.”

The FA sided with the match officials on the balance of probability, noting both Maguire and Zirkzee had limited recall of the exact language used. Maguire will miss Saturday night’s trip with Manchester United to face Chelsea, a match that could all but guarantee Champions League qualification next season, or alternatively make the race to Europe a much more nervous one for the Red Devils.

Marcos Senesi will be available on June 30 when his Bournemouth contract expires, and his free agent status makes him an efficient short-term option for clubs seeking defensive depth. The 28-year-old joined England in 2022 following Bournemouth’s promotion and has spent four seasons with the Cherries. Aside from a major hamstring injury that restricted him to 17 Premier League appearances last season, Senesi has generally been a regular starter and has played almost every minute so far in 2025–26.

Senesi’s record in England shows a player capable of surviving the demands of the Premier League. He is not presented as an elite defender but as a dependable squad member whose availability without a transfer fee is attractive to higher-table teams mindful of budgets.

Liverpool could view him as a cost-effective reinforcement. The 2025–26 campaign exposed limitations in centre-back depth at Anfield, and Senesi would be a less expensive alternative to triggering a reported $94.4 million (£69.6 million, €80 million) buy-back clause for Jarell Quansah. He is known to Arne Slot, having played under Slot at Feyenoord in 2021–22, when he made 50 appearances and helped the Dutch club reach the UEFA Conference League final.

Manchester United have reduced centre-back requirements by switching back to a 4-2-3-1 from Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, yet persistent injuries to Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt, the latter sidelined for the past four months, create uncertainty over numbers. When fit, Martínez and De Ligt, or Martínez and Harry Maguire, will start. Senesi could be a pragmatic free signing while resources are prioritised for two or more central midfield additions. There’s even a chance that Andoni Iraola ends up at Old Trafford in time for next season.

At Chelsea, a 28-year-old Senesi would arrive as one of the more experienced figures in an otherwise young defensive group. Chelsea expect to challenge for Premier League and Champions League honours, and there are question marks over Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoît Badiashile, who have been prone to costly mistakes. Trevoh Chalobah often operates alone, while Mamadou Sarr and Josh Acheampong have a combined age of 39 and remain very raw. Senesi’s experience and availability would therefore be of clear appeal.

Interim manager Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes reacted strongly after Lisandro Martínez was shown a red card in the match with Leeds United. Carrick said the decision was inexplicable and questioned the interpretation that led to the dismissal.

“That decision was one of the worst I’ve ever seen,” Carrick fumed. “He [Calvert-Lewin] can throw his arms in Licha’s [Martinez’s] face—and then he’s sent off. Shocking.

“I don’t even know what it looks like. It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive. He touches it and he gets sent off. Worse of all, he gets sent to overturn it, a clear and obvious error. Shocking. He is off balance and grappling.

“We have got to be careful where the game is going. It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.”

Fernandes, who later set up Casemiro’s consolation strike just over 10 minutes after the red card, said he would not comment further on the referee.

“I am not talking about the referee,” he told Sky Sports . “If I talk about the ref I am going to get in very big trouble because the rules are different for everyone and they play different for everyone.

“The difference in the yellow cards, you can also see it. So it’s better that I don’t say anything.”

The sequence that led to the dismissal began with a tussle between Martínez and Calvert-Lewin, after which the Leeds striker ended up on the floor. Play was stopped only after the former Everton striker alerted the on-field referee. VAR intervened and the decision was taken to dismiss Martínez for what was described as “violent conduct.” Asked whether he agreed with the verdict, Calvert-Lewin responded: “I don’t know, I don’t make the rules.”

Carrick and Fernandes voiced clear frustration at the outcome and the process that followed VAR review.