Bastian Schweinsteiger Accused of Elbow by Winston Reid and Slaven Bilic

West Ham United defender Winston Reid and manager Slaven Bilic believe Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger should have been sent off for elbowing the centre-back in a tussle on the stroke of half-time in their 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.

According to the Mail on Sunday's Chris Wheeler, Reid said: "It was a red card. He knows what he’s done—he’s elbowed me in the face. The referee couldn’t see it, so we move on."

Per Wheeler, Bilic added:

"

It was a moment of madness and he deserved to be sent off, but it’s impossible for the ref to see everything. No matter how many referees you have, sometimes they can’t see.

I’m sure if he did see it, it would have been a straight red. Of course we are disappointed but it happens. He just didn’t see it. 

I saw it on the replays at half-time. It was a red, a big-time red. I understand the decision but it was a crucial moment. I can’t blame the referee.

"

As Wheeler further noted, referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to both players after the incident, which left Reid on the floor, but that was the extent of the action he took.

If Clattenburg did in fact see the incident and did not deem it an act of violent conduct on the German's part then no further action can be taken.

However, if, as Bilic and Reid believe, he did not see the alleged elbow then he may well face retrospective punishment if the incident is reviewed and the FA believe action is needed.

A ban for Schweinsteiger would be a huge blow to United as he has firmly established himself as a key figure in their midfield, per football writer Liam Canning:

This is particularly the case over the busy Christmas period in which injuries and suspensions can really take their toll.

Bournemouth and Norwich City might struggle to cause the Red Devils problems in their next two outings, but an already daunting Boxing Day trip to Stoke City could be made even more tricky without Schweinsteiger.