Marouane Fellaini Spit Row Denied by Louis Van Gaal After Sergio Aguero Clash
Louis van Gaal has defended Marouane Fellaini over accusations the Belgian midfielder spat at Sergio Aguero during the Manchester derby.
Aguero hit the deck inside the box prior to half-time after being clipped by Fellaini, who lent into the fallen striker to berate him for going down. Upon close inspection, saliva appeared to exit the Manchester United man's mouth, as seen in the vine below:
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Van Gaal doesn't believe the incident was intentional. "The TV has shown that he is shouting and sometimes when you shout there's a little bit of saliva (that comes out) with it. I don't think that he's a spitting figure," said the Red Devils boss, reported by Paul Hirst of the Press Association and via the Daily Mail.
In the same report, Hirst confirms Manuel Pellegrini did not see the incident.
Fellaini also denied spitting via his Twitter account:
Football writer Krisfor Terreur provided his thoughts:
Aside from a missed header in the second half, Fellaini posted yet another improving display for United. The visitors lost 1-0 to an Aguero goal—largely helped by Chris Smalling's ill-judged duo of yellow cards—but Fellaini left the Etihad as one of United's better performers.
The 26-year-old made six tackles, two more than any other player on the pitch, per WhoScored.com. He also completed 90.1 percent of his passes and was responsible for keeping Yaya Toure out of the game before Smalling was sent off. United held their own prior to this moment deep in the first half and battled well during the second, finishing the match looking most likely to score.
Fellaini's alleged spit wasn't initially picked up by the television cameras and wasn't dwelled on until after the match. Aguero certainly didn't react badly, nor is he reported to have said anything to referee Michael Oliver. The reaction of both managers perhaps highlights the general feeling around the potential offence.
Even so, the FA review panel can take action if it is deemed spit deliberately exited Fellaini's mouth and wasn't noted in the referee's report, per Hirst.
United will be pleased to have gotten through a duo of tough matches showing some decent form. The draw against Chelsea and loss to Manchester City were positive in that Van Gaal's men showed they can live with the Premier League's best.
A home tie with Crystal Palace arrives before the team head to the Emirates to face Arsenal. Victory in the upcoming match should restore any confidence lost during the derby and can provide a boost heading into another tricky away date.
Two home games with Hull and Stoke follow, prior to a fixture at high-flying Southampton and visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford. Aston Villa are the last opponents before Christmas. Realistically, United should be aiming to win six of the next seven if they are to maintain their challenge for the top four.
Fellaini has become a key part of the side's improved displays and has actually shown himself to be surprisingly versatile in the last two matches. He battered Chelsea's defensive line and plugged midfield against City, suggesting he is set to maintain his place in Van Gaal's depleted side.
David Moyes had accumulated more points with less of a squad at this point last season, but United fans will at least take heart from the recent performances. January can't come soon enough, as new centre-backs are almost certainly on the agenda, highlighted by Smalling's match-defining irresponsibility at the Etihad.
