Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been formally charged by the Football Association with improper conduct, following his red card during the club’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on March 20. The FA confirmed in a statement that Maguire allegedly “acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.” Maguire was given until April 2 to provide a response.
The sending-off itself was controversial. Maguire was dismissed in the 78th minute for pulling back Bournemouth forward Evanilson inside the penalty area, which referee Stuart Attwell deemed a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Junior Kroupi converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-2, costing United two points in their Champions League qualification push.
United were incensed by the decision, particularly as a similar challenge on Amad Diallo in the Bournemouth box earlier in the game had gone unpunished. The club lodged an official complaint with refereeing body PGMOL, though they have yet to receive a response.
The red card alone carries an automatic one-match suspension, meaning Maguire will miss United’s home clash against Leeds United on April 13. The improper conduct charge, if proven, could add a further two matches to that ban, which would also rule him out of the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on April 18. That Chelsea fixture is a critical one in the race for the top four, with United currently third in the table and holding a seven-point advantage over sixth-placed Chelsea.
Maguire has been in good form since reclaiming his place in the side following Matthijs de Ligt’s injury in November. He also returned from the international break having impressed for England under Thomas Tuchel. There are reports that United are close to offering him a new contract, which makes the timing of this charge particularly disruptive.
There is relevant precedent for the additional charge. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk received a one-match ban on top of his red card suspension after verbally abusing match officials during a game against Newcastle in 2023. Should the same outcome apply to Maguire, United will be without their most experienced centre-back for potentially three straight fixtures during a crucial run-in.
Manager Michael Carrick at least has some defensive reinforcement arriving. Lisandro Martinez is reported to be closing in on a return from injury, which would provide cover at the back. United’s title challenge for Champions League football this season has been built on defensive solidity. Losing Maguire for an extended spell, even temporarily, is a complication they could have done without at this stage.
The broader story here is one of officiating inconsistency that has frustrated many clubs this season. United’s complaint to PGMOL reflects genuine concern about how similar incidents are being adjudicated differently across games. For Maguire personally, the charge compounds what should have been a positive week of international football with an unnecessary cloud heading into the decisive final stretch of the campaign.