A Football Association disciplinary commission hearing has rejected Manchester United's claim that Cristiano Ronaldo was wrongfully dismissed in Saturday's defeat at Manchester City.
The Portuguese winger was sent off for a lunge at City striker Andy Cole when United were trailing 2-0 in the Barclays Premiership.
Referee Steve Bennett showed the 20-year-old a straight red card and United went on to lose 3-1 at Eastlands.
Ronaldo's challenge came seconds after he was the victim of a late tackle by City full-back Stephen Jordan - which went unpunished.
But United's bid to get the three-match suspension overturned has proved unsuccessful and he is banned with immediate effect.
He will miss tomorrow night's FA Cup third-round replay with Burton Albion at Old Trafford, Sunday's Barclays Premiership match with Liverpool and next Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Blackburn - all at Old Trafford.
