Manchester United suffered a major blow today regarding their UEFA Super Cup prospects, as the European ruling body extended the suspension of Eric Bailly. United’s best central defender served a one match ban in the Europa League Final victory of Ajax in Stockholm due to an incident in the second lego of the semi-final against Celta Vigo.
United learned today they must now face Real Madrid on August 8 in Skopje without Bailly as UEFA extended his suspension two additional games.
A statement from UEFA reads: “The CEDB has decided to suspend the Manchester United FC player Eric Bailly for three UEFA club competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible.”
Bailly will also miss United’s opening UEFA Champions League contest. The Ivory Coast international was sent off in the closing minutes of the Europa semi-final after grabbing the throat of opposing striker John Guidetti. an incident with Celta’s Argentine defender, Facundo Roncaglia.
He also became entangled with Celta defender Facundo Roncaglia, and the incident grew so hostile that both had to be separated as they exited the tunnel.
The first signing of the summer transfer window for United was a central defender, Victor Lindelof from Benfica. Unfortunately, Lindelof has had a very unimpressive preseason thus far, as he seems to be struggling a bit in his adjustment. Perhaps he will get it figured it out in time for the matches that United will be sans Eric Bailly. It would certainly help United compensate for this setback.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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