Manchester United drew at AFC Bournemouth today 1-1, in an awful effort which saw the Red Devils overcome the Cherries’ having to play for long stretches with only ten men. Jose Mourinho admits that his team was not able to overcome his opponents parking the bus on him in the second half. The match was marred with ugly incidents and controversy as well. Two incidents stand out, and both revolve around United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings landed on the United striker’s head with his studs, but claimed this was accidental and intended no malice.
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Mings said: “I would never do that. That’s not in my game. Hard and fair is how I like to tackle but off-the-ball stuff like that isn’t in my game. He [Ibrahimovic] is a physical player.”
Moments after Mings landing his boot on Ibrahimovic’s head, Ibrahimovic caught Mings in the face with his elbow. The Swede also insisted he was innocent and that he intended no harm.
“He jumped into my elbow,” Ibrahimovic said.
“You have the TV, you can see the images. I jump, I jump high and I protect myself. Mings jumps into my elbow. I’m not someone who attacks someone off the field. It is not my intention to hurt someone.”
Both players could face charges of violent conduct from the Football Association, and possibly a three-to-five match ban. That’s only possible however if referee Kevin Friend says he did not see either incident at the time that they occurred.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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