Manchester United: Bastian Schweinsteiger handed three-match ban after accepting FA charge of violent conduct

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been handed a three-match ban after accepting an FA charge of violent conduct. Schweinsteiger, 31, appeared to elbow West Ham United's Winston Reid in the 40<sup>th minute of their Premier League match at Old Trafford on 5 December.

The incident was not seen the match officials but was instead picked up on video.

The Germany international will now miss Premier League matches against Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke City, but will be eligible to return for the visit of Chelsea on 28 December, the FA confirmed.

The timing of the suspension will not help United, with Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling both confirmed as doubts for the trip to Bournemouth after suffering injuries in the 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg on 8 December.

When asked whether or not he expected both players to recover in time for the teatime trip to Bournemouth, manager Louis van Gaal said via the club's official website: "I don't know, it's happened this evening, but normally they are out for Saturday."

Marcos Rojo is also ruled out for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery this week, while Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia remain long-term injuries.

Midfield duo Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera have also been recent absentees. Schneiderlin was forced off with a hip problem in the goalless draw with West Ham and was left out of the United squad that travelled to Germany for their pivotal Champions League group game against Wolfsburg.

Herrera, meanwhile, has not played since the 2-1 win over Watford in November, where he suffered a hamstring problem.

Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones have been absent due to injury but could be in contention by Saturday.