Ashley Young pictured during Manchester United’s draw with Southampton (Getty)

Ashley Young told Dusan Tadic he ‘didn’t do anything’ moments after elbowing him, the Southampton player has claimed.

The Manchester United star has been banned for three games after he opted not to contest a charge of violent conduct.

It followed an incident in the 51st minute of Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with Southampton on Saturday. With the pair marking each other at a corner, Young elbowed Tadic in the stomach.

The incident was caught on camera (BT Sport)

Tadic has given his version of events.

‘Yes, he elbowed me and I asked him, “Why did you do this?”. I didn’t really understand. I can fall down but it was really strange because I didn’t expect that from him.’

Tadic claims he didn’t provoke the Manchester United player.

‘No, no, no, nothing,’ said the Southampton player. ‘I was surprised, and then next corner I asked him, “Why did you do that?”, and he said, “I didn’t do anything”.

‘I said, “You didn’t do anything? You elbowed me in the stomach without reason”.

‘OK, if you want to push it’s different, but an elbow is different.’

Manchester United 2018/19 Fixtures

Fulham (A) - Feb 9
PSG (H) - Feb 12
Chelsea (A) - Feb 18
Liverpool (H) - Feb 24
Crystal Palace (A) - Feb 27
Southampton (H) - Mar 2

Tadic felt Young should have been sent off, but referee Craig Pawson failed to spot the incident: ‘Yes, but normally you cannot see that.

‘I’m disappointed about that because you don’t expect that from him, because he’s an experienced player and he cannot do that I think.’

Young’s ban means he misses today’s New Year’s Day fixture with Everton and then the potential banana-skin FA Cup tie with Derby. He will also miss the Premier League meeting with Stoke on 15 January.

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