Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has been banned for three matches after losing his appeal against his red card against Chelsea, the Football Association has announced.

Vidic’s claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by an independent regulatory commission during a meeting yesterday.

The Serbian was sent off in Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for a foul on Eden Hazard.

An FA statement read: “The player’s three-match suspension commences with immediate effect.”

The 32-year-old Red Devils captain will now miss the League Cup semi-final second leg against Sunderland at Old Trafford tonight and and the Barclays Premier League games at home to Cardiff and away to Stoke City.

Vidic’s absence is a blow to David Moyes’ struggling side, whose season suffered another setback in their comprehensive defeat by Chelsea last Sunday, which left United a distant 14 points off Premier League leaders Arsenal and six off the Champions League places.

The Serbian will be missed by a defence which has looked particularly vulnerable in recent matches, having conceded nine goals in five games.

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