NEW Manchester United gaffer Ruben Amorim will be without assistant Darren Fletcher for the first two Prem games of his reign.
Fletcher has been handed an extended three-match ban and a hefty fine by the FA for kicking off with officials during Man Utd’s 2-1 win over Brentford last month.
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The incident occurred after Ethan Pinnock netted a controversial opener on the brink of half-time.
United staff complained as Matthijs de Ligt was forced off the pitch by referee Samuel Barrott after blood was leaking from a gash in his head.
It meant United were down a man when Pinnock freely headed in from a corner in the final minute of first half stoppage time.
Fletcher’s ban starts on Sunday after allegedly acting in an improper or confrontational manner as he criticised the officials.
This means he will miss Amorim’s first two Premier League games, against Ipswich Town on November 24 and Everton on December 1.
An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a three-match extended touchline ban and £7,500 fine on Darren Fletcher.
“The FA alleged that the coach acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees around the tunnel area at half time.
“Fletcher admitted to this misconduct but denied that he was abusive.
“However, the Regulatory Commission found this to be proven and imposed his sanctions.
“The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.”
Both Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were booked for their reactions on the touchline.
But emotions also got the better of Fletcher, who is said to have exploded at the officials inside the Old Trafford tunnel, which was included in Barrott’s referee report.
Despite falling behind just before the break, United responded with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund sealing just the club’s third Prem win of the season.
According to the PA, United are appealing the severity of the punishment, considering Fletcher pled guilty but denied abusive behaviour.
