Manchester United suffer blow as Everton man cleared to play

Manchester United have been handed a blow as the Everton star’s suspension has been reduced, meaning he will be available against the Red Devils.

Manchester United have got to deal with an unexpected scenario as Lucas Digne is set to make his return against United over the next fortnight after a successfully reduced suspension-spell.

Everton were trailing 2-0 on the scoreline against Southampton last weekend. It was about salvaging something out of the game for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, with less than twenty minutes left on the clock.

At that stage, despite playing a Merseyside derby in the previous weekend, Everton were unbeaten in the Premier League. And a victory or a draw against Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side meant Ancelotti and company had a chance to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

While orchestrating the build-up, Lucas Digne uncharacteristically lost the ball to Southampton’s right-back Kyle Walker-Peters. The French full-back tracked back in an attempt to snatch the ball off Walker-Peters’ feet. But, in the process, the 27-year-old speedster clipped the back of former Spurs man’s heel.

Without wasting any time, the referee went to his back pocket, and Digne saw himself getting the marching orders.

Following the 2-0 defeat, as reported by The Guardian, Carlo Ancelotti claimed:

"“The red card was a joke. It was not intentional. Maybe it could be a yellow but for sure it was not violent conduct. They could check better.”"

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It has now been officially announced that an independent disciplinary panel has agreed to reduce Digne’s three-match suspension to one match after a successful appeal on the matter from the blue side of Merseyside.

Should that be the case, Digne will miss Everton’s upcoming game against Newcastle United next weekend but will make his return to action in the home game against Manchester United on November 7th.

Digne’s unavailability would have certainly hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men an apparent advantage over Everton. Had the Frenchman missed the game, Solskjaer would not have to worry about the link-up play between the full-back and centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Digne has assisted Calvert-Lewin twice with his flamboyant crosses this season so far. And as he will return fresh against Manchester United after a week of suspension, Solskjaer will now have something extra to think about.

Nonetheless, Everton would definitely miss Richarlison through injury.