Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may miss Premier League clash with Arsenal

JOSE MOURINHO could be banned from the touchline for Manchester United’s crunch showdown with Arsenal if he contests his latest FA charge.

Mourinho is facing a one game touchline ban after being hit with a second charge of misconduct from the FA.

Mourinho has been charged with misconduct in relation to his behaviour during United’s goalless draw with Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It is alleged that in or around the tunnel area at half time he used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

Mourinho has until 6pm on Friday to respond to the latest charge, which has arisen after FA bosses studied the official match report of referee Mark Clattenburg.

FA bosses are willing to hand Mourinho a regulation one match ban if he accepts the charge before the end of this week – that would see him banished for the trip to Swansea on Sunday.

But if he decides to challenge it then the FA will not be able to appoint a commission to hear the case until next week.

If he is then found guilty then Mourinho’s punishment will be doubled, with the FA hitting him with a two-game ban instead.

This would force Mourinho to sit in the stands when old rival Arsene Wenger and Arsenal visit Old Trafford on November 19 after the international break.

Mourinho was sent to the stands after complaining to Clattenburg about his failure to award the home side a penalty.

The FA have studied Clattenburg’s match report and now decided to take further action as Mourinho’s first season with United threatens to turn into a crisis.

Mourinho is already facing a charge in relation to his  comments about referee Anthony Taylor ahead of United’s recent clash at Liverpool.

It remains unclear if Mourinho has chosen to accept or deny the charge ahead of the yesterday’s 6pm deadline after United and the FA refused to disclose his decision.

But the case will be dealt with later this month, with Mourinho facing a hefty fine if found guilty of breaching FA rules regarding managers talking about officials before and after games.