Monday, December 05, 2016

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has denied deliberately kicking Seamus Coleman in the head, saying he could have made the Everton defender “fall asleep” if it had been on purpose.

Ibrahimovic tangled with Coleman early in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw between the sides at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Referee Michael Oliver did not appear to see the incident, leaving open the possibility of retrospective disciplinary action from the Football Association.


Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United tangles with Seamus Coleman of Everton at Goodison Park. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Speaking to MUTV, Ibrahimovic said: “It was a physical game. They played hard.

“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’s Seamus Coleman is injured at Goodison Park. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA

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 a fine lob from Ibrahimovic just before half-time.

“I got a fantastic ball from (Anthony) Martial, and I saw the goalkeeper coming out, so I tried to time it right,” Ibrahimovic said of 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.”

Comments are closed.

Contact Newsdesk: 053 9259900

More National Sport

Dan Tuohy makes move from Ulster to Bristol

More by this Journalist

Dan Tuohy makes move from Ulster to Bristol