Manchester United have withdrawn their appeal over Phil Jones’ UEFA ban, sources have told ESPN FC.
It means the defender will miss United’s first Champions League group game against Basel at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Eric Bailly is also suspended and Marcos Rojo is sidelined with a knee injury, leaving Jose Mourinho with Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof as his only available senior centre-backs.
Lindelof is yet to feature in the Premier League so far this season following his £31 million move from Benfica this summer.
The Sweden international, 23, has been omitted from the 18-man matchday squad for two of the three games.
Jones was banned for two European games after being found guilty of verbally abusing a doping control officer following the Europa League final in May.
He sat out the Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid, despite United’s request that the defender be allowed to face the European champions while they considered their course of action.
United formally appealed the ban on the day of the Super Cup.
UEFA were due to hear the appeal at a later date but before that could happen, it was withdrawn by the club.
Having already served one game of the suspension against Real Madrid, Jones will miss Basel’s visit to Old Trafford but will be available for the trip to Russia to face CSKA Moscow on Sept. 27.
Jones and Bailly have been ever-presents as United have started the season without conceding a goal in the Premier League.
Rob is ESPN FC’s Manchester United correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @RobDawsonESPN.