Nasty moments as Manchester United, Bournemouth draw

While there will nearly certainly be retrospective action from the FA next week – with a three match ban likely if they deem either or both of the incidents violent conduct – who knows how the game would have turned out if Ibrahimovic or Mings (or both) had been sent off.

The 23-year-old had been tussling with the Manchester United forward for large parts of the first half as both teams played out an eventful opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford.

“The second position is very hard but it’s very possible”, he said of United’s Premier League chances.

Asked if he was anxious about retrospective action, Ibrahimovic said: “I respect every decision”.

“I would never do that”, the defender said.

Friend adjudged Adam Smith to have deliberately handled Paul Pogba’s pull-back, which struck his arm at close quarters, inside the box and you would have backed Ibrahimovic to win the game from the spot. Will Man Utd finish in the top four this season?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the opportunity to give Man United the lead with a penalty kick, but his shot was saved.

Surman may not be the only player to serve a suspension following this, yet both Ibrahimovic – who saw Artur Boruc save his 71st-minute penalty – and Mings denied intending to hurt the other. I think he is absolutely phenomenal.

Adding to the confusion, Bournemouth’s Andy Surman was sent off following a push on Ibrahimovic, but only after United left-back Luke Shaw reminded Friend the midfielder had already been booked.

Manchester United once again dropped valuable points at home as ten-man Bournemouth held on for a point in a thrilling game.

“I know that if the team goes until the end in different competitions every one of my players should finish the last game and disappear to some place where he could rest for a month and not think about football”.

“I’m not someone who attacks someone off the field.

The number of goals he’s scored, the trophy he won, the impact he’s had, the two times he played in the cathedral (Wembley) is more than enough to consider him a success at Man United”. The situation happens – I go for the ball and, unluckily, he jumped into my elbow. Yeah, he jumps into my elbow.

“It was an eventful game, a lot of action, but from our point of view it was an incredible effort and a fantastic achievement to come here and come away with a point”, assistant Jason Tindall said with manager Eddie Howe ill. I know about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings are spoken to by referee Kevin Friend.