Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Monday night’s FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea after being handed a three-game suspension by the FA forcharge of violent conduct.
The Swede was involved in a clash with Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings during Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the two sides at Old Trafford.
Mings appeared to stamp on the Red Devils front man before Ibrahimovic caught his opponent in the face during an aerial challenge and the 35-year-old has been punished for his actions.
An FA statement read: “Zlatan Ibrahimovic will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after he admitted an FA charge of violent conduct and accepted the standard penalty.
“It follows an incident in or around the 44th minute of the game between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth on Saturday (4 March 2017).
“The misconduct was not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on video.”
Cherries defender Mings is yet to learn his punishment, having also been charged with violent conduct.
Ibrahimovic’s suspension means he will miss Premier League games against Middlesbrough and West Brom as well as next week’s trip to Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho’s side have come to rely on Ibrahimovic’s presence up front this season but will have to make do without the talisman as they plot a rout past Antonio Conte’s Premier League leaders and into the last four.
The west Londoners ran out emphatic 4-0 winners the last time they hosted United and will go into the game in high spirits, having opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the table with a comfortable 2-1 win at West Ham last night.
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