Updated at 15.28
BOURNEMOUTH DEFENDER TYRONE Mings has denied deliberately stamping on Zlatan Ibrahimovic in today’s Premier League encounter between Man United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Mings was strongly condemned for appearing to deliberately stamp on the head of the Swede. Sky pundit Gary Neville called the challenge “cowardly,” while colleague Jamie Carragher suggested the player’s lack of an apology in the immediate aftermath of the incident indicated his guilt.
However, speaking on Sky Sports, the 23-year-old Bournemouth player denied his action was intentional.
“I would never do that,” he said. “Hard and fair is how I like to play. Off the ball stuff isn’t part of my game.”
Mings also played down the subsequent elbow by Ibrahimovic, describing the game as a “battle” and claiming he was unaware whether his opponent’s challenge was deliberate.
Man United striker Wayne Rooney was less diplomatic, however, condemning Mings for his behaviour.
“To try to stamp on a player’s head is wrong and there’s no place for it,” said Rooney, who added that he “didn’t see” Ibrahimovic’s elbow.
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