Erik ten Hag’s forward options could be set for yet another blow after it emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo could face a ban.
The FA opened an investigation of an incident in which Ronaldo slapped a mobile phone out of a fan’s hand during a defeat against Everton last season.
The fan in question was only 14 years of age, suffered from autism, and was left with a bruised hand.
It was “alleged that the forward’s conduct after the final whistle was improper and/or violent,” which would put the striker in breach of the FA’s E3 rule.
Under the ruling, players must not bring the game into disrepute “or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”
In possibly breaching that rule, Ronaldo could face a multi-game ban in addition to a fine.
Should that happen, Man United will be threadbare in their attacking options.
Marcus Rashford has only just returned to training today following a knock picked up late on against Everton on Sunday, while Anthony Martial was substituted in the same match following an injury picked up during the warm-up.
Rashford suffered a muscle problem that ruled him out of the England squad recently as well, and Martial’s whole season so far has been plagued by injuries.
United failed to add a striker to their squad over the summer transfer window and could be set to pay the price during a difficult October schedule.
Taking Ronaldo out of the team, shortly after his first Premier League goal of the season no less, would certainly be a blow for Ten Hag.
Unsurprisingly, the club are prepared to fight the possibility of a ban.
They, nor Ronaldo, deny the event, but hope to offer context and suggest mitigating circumstances in order to avoid on-pitch repercussions for the off-field incident.
Whether such arguments will prove effective in gaining leniency from the FA is unclear, although history suggests they are unlikely to do so.
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