Why Erik ten Hag is not in the dugout for Everton vs Manchester United

The reason why Erik ten Hag will not be in the dugout for Everton vs Manchester United has been explained.

After the latest international break came to an end, the Premier League will return this weekend.

Despite their early season struggles, United head into the weekend as the Premier League’s most in-form team after winning four of their last five matches.

This Sunday, the Red Devils face a potentially tough test as they travel to Goodison Park to take on Sean Dyche’s Everton.

The Toffees are second bottom of the league after being hit with a 10-point deduction due to a breach of Financial Fair Play rules.

On Sunday, United boss Ten Hag will not be on the touchline after he was handed a one-match suspension.

The ban came as a result of him picking up his third yellow card of the season during United’s 1-0 win over Luton Town at Old Trafford earlier in the month.

New rules in the Premier League state that three yellow cards will result in a one-match touchline ban for managers, having upgraded the punishment from four bookings to three at the start of the campaign.

Speaking about his booking after the match with Luton, Ten Hag said: “Yes, that's the way [it is], So I have to accept that. It’s not nice but I’m sure we’ll prepare for Everton and my coaching staff will take over, they are very competent to do the job.

“So that was about a moment so clear, it was a throw-in. But it was the second time. I was on top of it and it was so clear and obvious [it was] our ball. It was my remark, therefore, I got booked.”

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He added: “If the players get a red card, they probably get fined. But, for a booking, they don't get fined. There is a certain point you have to accept decisions, what I should do as well.”

United confirmed on Friday afternoon that assistant coach Mitchell van der Gaag will be the man on the touchline against Everton on Sunday.

The club added that Ten Hag will watch the game from the director’s box and use a communication device to speak to his staff.