Jose Mourinho could be hit with a three-game touchline ban by the Football Association after being charged with improper conduct following his second dismissal in the space of the month during Manchester United's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Sunday.
While sources familiar with the FA's disciplinary measures have told ESPN FC that a more stringent stadium ban is unlikely, the United manager is at risk of an extended touchline suspension because of his previous incidents of misconduct.
Mourinho served a one-game touchline ban during the 3-1 Premier League victory at Swansea City earlier this month after admitting an FA charge of using "abusive and/or insulting words to an official" before being sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg during the Old Trafford draw against Burnley in October.
And with referee Jon Moss also sending Mourinho to the stands in the 27th minute on Sunday for his reaction to a booking for United midfielder Paul Pogba, the Portuguese's latest charge will be treated as a non-standard offence, thereby opening up the range of potential sanction available to a disciplinary commission.
With Mourinho fined £50,000 and warned as to his future conduct earlier this month for media comments about referee Anthony Taylor -- the fourth official against West Ham at the weekend -- the United manager's latest charge could come with a heavier punishment than usual for such an offence.
Mourinho has until Thursday evening to respond to the charge, with a commission being called to decide on the penalty should it be upheld.
If a three-game ban is imposed, Mourinho would likely sit in the stands for the Premier League fixture against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Dec. 11 and the subsequent away trips to Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion.
If he accepts the charge, the FA could accelerate the commission to enable Mourinho to start any suspension against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
During his time as Chelsea manager, Mourinho was dismissed twice in the 2013-14 season, and once in 2014-15. He was also fined for his comments about referees three times, most notably £50,000 for saying referees were "afraid" to give Chelsea penalties.
Mourinho's disciplinary problems may be the least of his worries with Manchester United in the midst of their worst start to a season in the Premier League era with 20 points from their opening 13 games.