Louis van Gaal, Jonny Evans React to Spitting Allegation After Papiss Cisse Spat

Louis van Gaal admitted he "cannot imagine" Jonny Evans would spit at another player after watching his Manchester United side topple Newcastle United in dramatic fashion on Wednesday.

Ashley Young's late goal didn't create the only headlines, however, with Evans alleged to have spat at Papiss Cisse after a clash between the pair in the first half. As reported by Damian Spellman of the Press Association (h/t Daily Mail), the Magpies striker is also said to have retaliated by spitting back.

Van Gaal admits he didn't see the incident, but suggests his player isn't the type to do such a thing, per Spellman: "I didn't see that from the bench. It's too far to see spitting, so I cannot judge that. But I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans, because he is a very modest person, that he could do that. I cannot imagine."

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Evans provided a statement on Thursday, per United's official website:

"

Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night’s match. I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse.

I was totally unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his attempted retaliation to the tackle from the floor. During the game Papiss Cisse and I spoke about the incident and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting.

"

Evans also suggested, "It is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody nor is it something I have ever done or would ever do."

Despite Evans' statement, both men were charged by the FA following the contest.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Cisse also released a statement apologizing for the incident, according to Newcastle's official website: 

"

"I have apologies to make to a lot of people today. Firstly to my teammates and to our supporters, secondly to Jonny Evans, and thirdly to every football fan who saw the incident between myself and Jonny.

"I reacted to something I found very unpleasant. Sometimes it is hard not to react, particularly in the heat of the moment. I have always tried hard to be positive a role model, especially for our young fans, and yesterday I let you down.

"I hope children out there playing football for their clubs and schools this weekend will know better than to retaliate when they are angry. Perhaps when they see the problem it now causes me and my team they will be able to learn from my mistake, not copy it." 

"

Newcastle boss John Carver missed the potentially controversial clash, highlighted in Spellman's report:

"

I am aware of it now because the guys on TV have just made me aware of it. I genuinely haven't seen the incident. I just saw a fracas on the halfway line between the two players and the referee spoke to them. That's all I have seen. As far as I am concerned, I need to have a look at it.

"

MailOnline Sport provided images of the moments in question:

B/R UK tweeted further photos:

In motion, it's possible to suggest Evans spat at the floor near the fallen Cisse, who then retaliates. There's no doubt the incident doesn't look good for either player, though, per B/R UK's Sean Swaby:

It will be interesting to see whether referee Anthony Taylor includes the exchange in his report. The FA could potentially issue punishments for both if he didn't see anything. Last season, Burnley striker George Boyd, who played for Hull at the time, was given a three-match ban for being found guilty of spitting at Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, per Bill Cooper of the Mirror.

Richard Conway of BBC 5Live suggests both players could miss an even longer period of time, however:

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Aside from this incident, a largely dull match served up a memorable conclusion. Both sides struggled to find their rhythm throughout, with poor passes and breakdowns in possession littering play. Goalkeepers Tim Krul and David de Gea made a smattering of top-class saves between them, before Wayne Rooney shot into life.

He hassled Mehdi Abeid out of possession inside the Newcastle box, forcing the midfielder to rush his back pass to Krul. Rooney carried on running, pressuring Krul into firing his clearance straight to Young, who calmly stroked into the back of the gaping net. It wasn't pretty, but Rooney created something out of nothing for United.

Van Gaal hailed the striker after the match, per the club's Twitter feed:

The goal could turn out to be vital come the end of the season. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton all won their midweek fixtures, meaning United simply had to grab three points. The Red Devils remain two points above Liverpool heading into an extremely difficult last 10 matches, including a trip to Anfield on Mar. 22.

B/R UK's Andy Brassell believes one of these two teams will nab fourth this season:

Van Gaal will be pleased to escape St James' Park with the win. Although Evans may face retrospective punishment, the Dutch manager will be confident of shuffling his pack if the Northern Irishman is forced to sit out. Phil Jones remained on the bench during Wednesday's tie and can easily take over.

United must grab all the luck they can get as the season's finale approaches, with senior players such as Evans needing to step up to make the difference.