Update: Man United have new Europa League suspension risk vs Lyon as yellow card rule explained News

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte picked up a yellow card against Lyon on Thursday night – his second in the Europa League this season.

Manchester United have it all to play for with Lyon for a place in the Europa League semi-finals after the first leg ended level on Thursday night.

Ruben Amorim’s men came from behind to lead 2-1, heading into stoppage-time, but Rayan Cherki capitalised on another Andre Onana error with 95 minutes on the clock.

United do have the advantage of playing the second leg at Old Trafford, where they have not lost in Europe since December 12, 2023. However, they go into that clash sweating over further suspension concerns.

Two players are on the brink of a Europa League suspension, with Casemiro and Matthijs de Ligt one yellow card away from sitting out of one game. Casemiro escaped any punishment in France on Thursday night, while De Ligt missed the match due to injury.

Manuel Ugarte was booked by Glenn Nyberg meaning he’s now on two yellow cards this season and a suspension risk. A caution for Casemiro, De Ligt or Ugarte next Thursday night – and they would miss the first leg of the Europa League semi-final should United see off Lyon.

The end of the last-eight is a key date in UEFA’s regulations for yellow cards as they expire once the competition narrows down to four teams. As Article 52.04 states: “Exceptionally, all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs. They are not carried forward to the group stage. In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.”

There has been confusion around whether players would escape a one-match ban for the first leg of the semi-final, but any of the three on two bookings would serve a one-match ban if they do receive a yellow card at Old Trafford.

That is because they would have received three yellow cards before the cut-off at the end of the quarter-finals. So if they stay out of the referee’s book, then the slate is wiped clean for the rest of the competition.

Looking further ahead, if United reach the final in Bilbao players can’t be suspended even if they are cautioned in both legs of the semi-final tie – the only way a player will be banned for the Europa League final is if they are sent off in the semi-final second leg or dismissed for violent conduct in the first leg.

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