Bruno Fernandes is walking suspension tightrope ahead of Chelsea clash

Bruno Fernandes is walking suspension tightrope ahead of Chelsea clash with Man Utd

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is walking a disciplinary tightrope ahead of the clash against Chelsea.

The Blues host Man United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Thursday night. Chelsea go into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with Burnley at the weekend and looking to climb the league standings.

Thursday will see Chelsea face Man United in West London, with both clubs desperate for an improved result compared to Easter weekend. While the Blues were drawing with Burnley, Man United were also held to a 1-1 stalemate with Brentford.

Going into the game, Fernandes is just two bookings away from a two-match ban for Man United, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Portugal international has already been shown eight yellow cards this season in the Premier League.

If a player picks up 10 yellow cards in their club’s first 32 Premier League games, they’re automatically handed a two-game suspension. Fernandes has already missed one game this season after collecting five yellow cards, where he was unavailable for Man United’s goalless draw with Liverpool on December 17.

As a result, Fernandes could be forced to sit out Man United’s league matches against Bournemouth and Sheffield United later this month. That will happen unless he avoids getting yellow cards in the games against Chelsea and Liverpool this week.

Chelsea also have members of their squad who are at risk of being handed a two-match suspension through yellow cards. Nicolas Jackson has picked up nine bookings across the campaign, meaning if he gets one more across the Blues’ next four league matches he will serve a two-game ban.

The Blues still have four more fixtures to play before they reach the 32-game threshold for 10 yellow cards. Other players at risk of getting a two-game suspension include Moises Caicedo (eight yellow cards), Cole Palmer (seven), Marc Cucurella (six), Axel Disasi (six), Enzo Fernandez (six), Conor Gallagher (six) and Raheem Sterling (six).