Manuel Ugarte appeared to headbutt Kai Havertz as Manchester United beat Arsenal in the FA Cup third round and the Red Devils midfielder could be banned as a result
Manuel Ugarte could be banned after he was involved in a heated clash as Manchester United knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
United were left incensed after Arsenal were awarded a controversial penalty when Harry Maguire was judged to have fouled Kai Havertz with the score 1-1. Both sides were involved in a mass brawl after Maguire attempted to confront Havertz and Ugarte appeared to headbutt him in the scenes that followed.
The incident appeared to have been missed by referee Andy Madley as Ugarte was not among the three players booked in the aftermath of the clash and VAR is not being used in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup.
As a result, Ugarte could be given a three-match ban if his actions are considered violent conduct. Ultimately, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard saw his penalty saved by Altay Bayindir and the game went to penalties where United emerged victorious.
After the game, Ugarte took to Instagram and shared some snaps of him in action with the caption: “When we have the ball, it’s a game and when we don’t, it’s a fight. Let’s keep it going always together.”
And United boss Ruben Amorim has echoed Ugarte’s comments, stating: “Thankfully, the players were there. They fight, and what we talk about before the match is not technical or tactical, but this.
“We have to compete no matter the situation, and we competed today. I think they [Arsenal] had more chances, but I think we deserved to win. Arsenal maybe didn’t deserve to lose, but we deserved the win, with the way we played and the way we fought.
“It was really tough at the beginning and not having the ball, but without the ball you can control the game. We had the feeling that everything in the end would be okay – I felt that since the beginning of the second half.
“Even after the penalty, I felt that and I think the Arsenal team maybe felt that today wouldn’t be their day. But I’m really pleased for the way we controlled the game without the ball, and with set-pieces, we were really strong.
“The spirit was there even with 10 men. I think the connection between the team on the pitch and the fans outside was a really good thing to feel. I think we are improving on that and I think that is the base of everything. Now the rest will come but that connection, we are fighting.”
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