Zlatan Ibrahimovic Banned for 3 Manchester United Games After Tyrone Mings Elbow

Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been handed a three-game ban following his elbow on Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings.  

The FA confirmed the sanction on Tuesday after Ibrahimovic admitted to the charge of violent conduct. The suspension means Ibrahimovic will sit out Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea as well as the showdowns against Middlesbrough and West Brom in the Premier League.

The incident in question occurred during the first half of United's 1-1 draw against the Cherries on Saturday. The United striker later saw a penalty saved from Artur Boruc, capping off a miserable afternoon on a personal level.

Ibrahimovic’s head had earlier been on the end of a stamp from Mings, although he seemed to secure retribution minutes later when he flung an arm into the face of the young defender. However, the forward has been punished for his actions.

After the match, Ibrahimovic denied there was any intent behind the elbow. "I am not here to attack anybody," said the former Paris Saint-Germain man, per Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail. "My purpose was not to do that. The game is hard."

The ban for Ibrahimovic is a massive blow to United in their pursuit of the FA Cup and a spot in the Premier League’s top-four places. The veteran has already showed his importance in big games this term, most notably when he netted a brace in the EFL Cup final win over Southampton, and his talents will naturally be missed.

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However, his absence will present a chance for others to potentially make an impression at the point of the attack. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News feels as though Marcus Rashford should be asked to lead the line:

As noted by Luckhurst, Anthony Martial has not played as a centre-forward for a long time, while Wayne Rooney hasn’t looked capable of thriving in the role based on his inconsistent displays so far this season.

Rashford has been exhilarating to watch at times, and given he's been on the periphery of the squad for much of the campaign, it'll be refreshing to see him in a run of games. However, United will be worse off without Ibrahimovic, who has been an irrepressible focal point and a prolific goalscorer since arriving at the club.