Manchester United hit with UEFA punishment after stars suspended from Europa League action
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side beat the Spanish outfit 2-0 in the first leg in Spain, but UEFA have fined the Red Devils for their players’ conduct in the match.
Manchester United have been fined by UEFA after five of their players were booked in last week’s 2-0 Europa League win over Granada, with three of those now facing suspensions.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side took control of their last eight tie thanks to Marcus Rashford’s first half strike and a late penalty from Bruno Fernandes, but the Red Devils’ lack of discipline during the game has now been punished.
Three players – Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw – were all booked in the first half alone, with Harry Maguire and substitute Nemanja Matic following them into the referee’s notebook in the second period.
McTominay, Shaw and Maguire and will now be forced out of Thursday’s second leg against Granada at Old Trafford, with UEFA hitting United with a €7,000 fine on Wednesday.
The governing body said in a statement that United were guilty of “improper conduct of their team” as they criticise their lack of discipline.
Speaking after the game last week, Solskjaer referenced the cards and the suspensions as the only blot on his side’s copybook from the evening.
“It was not a perfect night. We got three yellow cards and three suspensions [but] 2-0 is very good result,” he said.
“We know how difficult it is to come to Spain.
“It’s created a good starting point for next week’s game – then we’ve got to play well to get a result.
“We want to win every game – football catches you so quickly if you rest.
“We can’t have any other approach. It’s still a young team, a learning team, and we have to improve all the time.”
