Erik ten Hag’s obvious absence from the Manchester United bench against Everton on Sunday will be evident.

The Dutchman, who received a touchline ban before the international break, will watch the entire match from the stands at Goodison Park. Ten Hag had his third booking of the year during United’s 1-0 victory over Luton Town at Old Trafford when he was awarded a yellow card. He’d been shown yellow against Tottenham and Arsenal in the past.

This season, the Premier League implemented new regulations that automatically resulted in a one-match suspension after the third caution. In an effort to crack down on inappropriate behavior on the touchline, the Premier League and the PGMOL decreased that number from the four yellows from the previous season.

“Yeah, that’s how [things] are,” he remarked following Luton’s victory. “I must thus acknowledge that. Although it’s not pleasant, we’ll get ready for Everton, and my coaching staff will take over since they are more than capable of handling the situation.”

When asked if he would later pay himself a fine for receiving a ban, Ten Hag joked, saying, “Players who receive a red card would most likely be penalized. However, they avoid being penalized for a booking. You have to accept judgments at some point, and I should follow suit.

When asked again about his punishment prior to the match at Carrington, he responded, “Let’s say this, it is a ban,” during his pre-match press conference. You don’t always agree with the referee; a lot of his rulings didn’t favor us. I have to accept it anyhow.”

Ten Hag will not be providing instructions over the phone this weekend.

United will therefore need to accomplish that without guidance from the Dutchman on the field. Apart from that, though, things will mostly continue as normal.

Ten Hag will be happy speaking with his backroom staff down in the dugout, even though he will be up in the seats, maybe in the directors’ box. He can communicate with his coaching staff and players through his cell phone, even if he has a better vision. He can also communicate with a couple of United analysts who are connected to those below.

It’s not as though he has been barred from stadiums either. He will accompany the players on the team coach’s journey and be there in the locker room prior to, during, and even after the game!

Before participating in a press conference with the journalists in attendance following the game, he will also have the opportunity to do pre- and post-match flash interviews with Sky Sports. There isn’t much of a difference in his day other than the ninety minutes, during which he continues to watch the game but from a different perspective.

The United manager is aware that his team must fight fire with fire on Merseyside in the first of three crucial away games that will determine his team’s season: Galatasaray in a Champions League must-win encounter follows in midweek, followed by Newcastle away on Saturday.

“We have to match their standards,” he stated. “When we match the standards, we have a great chance to win the game.” It won’t be difficult for him to inform his players if they don’t.