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Manchester United winger Shea Lacey was sent off for a second bookable offence during the 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Manchester United winger Shea Lacey will miss the Reds' clash with Manchester City in the Premier League after he was sent off for a second bookable offence against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round. The 18-year-old impressed in the 2-2 draw at Burnley in a brief cameo and was given another opportunity in the second half on Sunday.
However, shortly before second-half stoppage time, he was sent off after throwing the ball to the ground in frustration. United went on to lose the game 2-1 and in the process were knocked out of the FA Cup.
Under the FA rules, accumulated yellow cards are contained to within the competition they are picked up in. For example, if a player was to receive five yellow cards in the Premier League before the cut-off period, they would be suspended for the next Premier League match but could play in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup before then.
However, should someone be sent off in the FA Cup for two yellow cards, this suspension is carried over until the next domestic game, regardless of the competition. This means, despite United being knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday, Lacey was always going to be banned for the Manchester derby.
Lacey was visibly distraught as he left the Old Trafford pitch on Sunday and has since taken to social media to apologise to supporters. "I want to apologise to all of my teammates, staff and the fans," he wrote on Instagram.
"I let everybody down tonight, I shouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me. I will do everything I can to make this right."
After the final whistle, interim head coach Darren Fletcher was booked by referee Simon Hooper for his protests. Speaking about the Lacey dismissal, Fletcher said: "He's disappointed because he cares and he understands and he knows he will learn from it.
"There is no doubt about his talent and it was a steep learning curve today but we believe in Shea. He's one of our most exciting young prospects and I'm sure at Old Trafford he will have a chance to make amends for that in the future."
He added: "Shea Lacey’s yellow card is ridiculous compared to the fouls that we had against us all game which ultimately then the lad makes a mistake and is sent off. For me, it is poor refereeing."
There has been plenty of precedent for players being cautioned for dissent in recent times with referees being urged to clamp down on it. In the FA rules, referees are advised to book a player if they show 'dissent by word or action.'
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