Man Utd Star Could Miss Vital Arsenal & Man City Games

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku could be slapped with a three-game ban that would rule him out of crucial games with Arsenal and Manchester City.

Lukaku completed the full ninety minutes against Brighton on Saturday afternoon but could be in hot water as the striker was caught on video kicking out at full-back Gaetan Bong midway through the second half.

The Belgian international lashed out at the defender twice after the ball had gone out for a corner but the incident wasn’t seen by referee Neil Swarbrick at the time.

The match official let play continue and it led to United scoring the crucial winner as Ashley Young’s shot from the edge of the area deflected off Lewis Dunk and in to the top corner in the 66th minute.

The FA are aware of the incident and will now wait to read Swarbrick’s match report today before reviewing video footage and deciding whether to charge Lukaku with violent conduct.

If the United striker is found guilty, he’d be slapped with a three-match ban that would rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Watford, Saturday’s clash with Arsenal at the Emirates and United’s huge Manchester derby against City the following week.

Here is a video of the incident:

Looks like Lukaku could be facing a 3 match ban for kicking out at a Brighton player. Will miss Arsenal & City. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/PmT5zOcWMX

— George (@UtdGeorge) November 27, 2017

United will now be sweating over the outcome as it would be a huge blow to Jose Mourinho if he was to lose his key striker for three vital games as he looks to close the gap on run-away leaders City.

If Lukaku is suspended, then it could open the door for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make his first start of the season after recently returning to action following a serious knee ligament injury.

Mourinho had planned to ease the 36-year-old back in with a number of substitute appearance in order to build up his match fitness but the United boss would be forced to hand Ibrahimovic his first start sooner than planned if Lukaku is hit by a ban.