Man Utd will have the chance to take a glimpse into their potential future when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.
News that has come out is that both Lisandro Martinez AND Harry Maguire will be suspended for that trip. Martinez received a straight red for 'violent conduct' after a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the loss to Leeds on Monday night. While United could appeal that call, the word is that it is unlikely to be overturned.
Maguire received a straight red as well in the draw to Bournemouth before the international break. He served a mandatory one-game ban on Monday but the FA have decided uphold charge of misconduct resulting in an additional one-game ban [Laurie Whitwell].
I mean, of course Martinez's decision isn't going to be overturned. The way he pulled Calvert-Lewin's hair was absolutely disgusting. His head almost came off!
That is sarcasm btw.
I think it's fair to say that everyone other than PGMOL ie. fools, think that this isn't a red card. It isn't even violent conduct. It wasn't even a foul. Calvert-Lewin himself didn't even cause up too much of a fuss.
When they say that it was stupid of Martinez to do this, I don't think he was actually looking to pull his hair. Martinez ain't that type of character. And if he wanted to, he really could've yanked it. This guy is called 'the butcher' after all.
There's also been other incidents of a similar nature where the player went unpunished. Kenny Tete on Antoine Semenyo earlier in the season did actually yank his hair.
Nothing given.
Even during our game with Leeds, Calvert-Lewin's hand was in Martinez's face. He even gave Leny Yoro a bit of a smack before their opener.
Again, nothing given.
This 'violent conduct' rule is so subjective. If what Martinez did to Calvert-Lewin was 'violent conduct' then how many players are they going to have to send off during games because we see this type of shit all the time.
It's absolutely ridiculous how stupid rules and officiating like this are ruining the game.
As for the Maguire one, I have no problems with that red card. I think it was fair to send him off as he was the last man who denied a goal-scoring opportunity.
The issue I have is in how long they've taken to decide that they will give him the additional one-game ban.
We played Bournemouth on the 20th of March. It is now the 15th of April. Only now have they made this decision.
How did it take them this long?
I get that in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter too much but to leave us in this area of uncertainty for so long is pathetic. At least had we had known a while ago, we could've been using different centre-back pairings in training so that they get used to each other in preparation for Chelsea.
And when did straight reds stop being an automatic three-game ban? I would've preferred this rather than what we got with Maguire.
With all that being said though, I do find this quite exciting.
No Martinez. No Maguire. De Ligt still injured.
That means we will HAVE to use Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
For the first time as a starting duo, the youngsters will be paired up in defense for United.
I'm low key really looking forward to this because they are the future. Hopefully they stay at United for a long time and if they do, this will give us a chance to see whether they can be our main CB pairing for years to come.
I actually think that when you look at their individual qualities, they compliment each other pretty well.
Yoro is right-footed while Heaven is left-footed. Yoro is better with the ball at his feet and driving forward while stepping into midfield at times. Heaven is a lot more composed in possession and is a better passer of the ball.
Both are tall and good in the air yet possess enough speed so as to allow us to play a high line.
They really do have all the makings of being the next Rio and Vidic 👀.
I know there is the risk that they are young and have never played with each other before but I guess that's part of the intrigue.
There is one positive about these red cards at least.
What about you though? Are you excited to see Yoro and Heaven pair up? Or do you think they need some experience beside them?
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven could start for Man Utd against Chelsea | Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images - United In Focus