Bruno Fernandes one of 27 Premier League stars on brink of ban with three key players at risk during Man Utd vs Chelsea
BRUNO FERNANDES and 26 more Premier League stars will be hit with a ban if they pick up a yellow card in the next five games.
Players who are booked five times in the first 19 matches of the season receive a one-match suspension.
Manchester City duo Rodri and Jack Grealish hit that milestone against Tottenham on Sunday so will miss a key clash with high-flying Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Fernandes, 29, could face the same fate if he is cautioned against Chelsea.
The Blues also have two players at risk – Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez, both of whom are key to Mauricio Pochettino’s plans.
In total there are 27 Prem stars just one booking away from a ban, including England players Kieran Trippier and Lewis Dunk, who recently served a one-match suspended after being sent off for two yellows against Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz is at risk of being sidelined just as he has started to hit form so should be extra vigilant about not being booked.
And with a busy festive period coming up the managers of Everton, Aston Villa, Luton and Sheffield United will be warning their players about their conduct.
Those teams all have three players just one yellow card away from a ban, while Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Wolves have two players close to a suspension.
Villa have three first-team regulars on the brink in Matty Cash, Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz, who has been tipped to leave in January amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
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United captain Fernandes has been one of their most important players this season with five goals and five assists in all competitions.
The Red Devils have some tricky games coming up this month against Liverpool, West Ham and Villa so Erik ten Hag will need his best players available to him.