Sunday , May 12 2024

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic denies purposefully kicking Seamus Coleman

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted he had no intention of kicking Everton full-back Seamus Coleman in the head during the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Swede had given his side the lead with a lobbed finish but could have left them a man short had referee Michael Oliver seen the incident.

Losing out on a 50:50 with Coleman, Ibrahimovic proceeded to chase down the Irishman before the tussle saw them both fall awkwardly the ground.

It was what followed that enraged the Toffees players, however, as the forward’s heel down came down onto Coleman’s face, leaving him riving in pain.

With the prospect of a retrospective ban looming, Ibrahimovic has pleaded his innocence, claiming the Everton player would have known if he’d really meant it.

‘It was a physical game, they played hard,’ he told MUTV.

‘I heard one of the commentators say I kicked someone in the head on purpose, but it was a 50-50 duel and he pulled me down.

‘Trust me, if I want to kick someone in the head, I know how to kick someone in the head and make him fall asleep. That is the only thing I have to say.’

Everton snatched a point at the death as Leighton Baines scored from the penalty spot after United substitute Marouane Fellaini conceded a penalty, cancelling out the No 9’s brilliant opener.

‘I got a fantastic ball from (Anthony) Martial, and I saw the goalkeeper coming out, so I tried to time it right,’ Ibrahimovic added, reflecting on his goal.

‘I scored today but it only gave us one point. I would prefer to win and not to score, that is my way of thinking.’

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