Maguire protested his innocence but was ordered down the tunnel with the Premier League match centre then confirming his dismissal was for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
“The referee’s call of penalty and red card for Maguire for the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed to be a holding offence with no attempt to challenge for the ball,” they said in a statement.
After Junior Kroupi had successfully converted the resulting penalty, Man Utd head coach sent on Ayden Heaven and Manuel Ugarte for Casemiro and Matheus Cunha to ensure his side left the south coast with a point.
The result means United missed the chances to consolidate third place in the Premier League table, leaving the door open for Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea to gain ground in the race for a top-four/five finish.
How many Manchester United games with Harry Maguire miss?
Due to Maguire being sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, he will only have to serve a one-game suspension.
Dismissed: Harry Maguire
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Had he been dismissed for violent conduct, then a minimum three-match ban would have been his punishment.
But in this case, Maguire will be unavailable for selection in Manchester United next Premier League fixture which is against bitter rivals Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13.
This means he will be back for the crucial game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge five days later in a showdown that could determine who qualifies for next season’s Champions League.
