Zlatan Ibrahimovic escapes red card after Manchester United substitute appears to grab Simon Kjaer by throatÂ
- Manchester United lost 2-1 at Fenerbahce in the Europa League clash
- Tempers threatened to boil over during a heated opening half in Turkey
- United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared to grab Simon Kjaer by the throatÂ
- The former Sweden star and his Danish opponent clashed on touchline
Tempers threatened to boil over during Manchester United's clash with Fenerbahce after Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared to grab Simon Kjaer by the throat.
The Red Devils, who were trailing 1-0 in Turkey at the time, were chasing an equaliser when first-half substitute Ibrahimovic caught the Fenerbahce centre back with a late tackle from behind, which resulted in an exchange of words between the pair.
But Manchester United striker Ibrahimovic took exception to what Kjaer said and the former Sweden international appeared to grab his Danish opponent by the throat on the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium touchline.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared to grab Simon Kjaer by the throat during a heated first-half
Fenerbahce defender Kjaer has his arms by his side as Ibrahimovic shouts in defender's ear
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward clearly gets hold of the Denmark defender's throat
The rivals were separated by referee Milorad Mazic, who chose not to book either player despite the clash on the stroke of half-time.
United striker Ibrahimovic was fortunate to escape without a booking but could yet face retrospective punishment by UEFA for the incident.
The striker's actions in a heated first-half led to the home fans voicing their anger at him by heckling him every time he touched the ball.
Michael Owen, however, speaking during his half-time punditry duties on BT Sport, believes the striker didn't do enough to warrant a red card.
He said: 'Kjaer didn't much wrong when you look at the replay. He's just doing what he should do, he's just trying to win the ball but he doesn't do anything really â just a little of arms.
'That from Ibrahimovic is a little bit naughty. That's not a strike is it?'
United were chasing an equaliser when Ibrahimovic caught the centre back with a late tackle
After they exchanged words, the striker took exception to what was said and confronted himÂ
Jose Mourinho's struggling side fell behind when Moussa Sow acrobatically volleyed the hosts into a shock second-minute lead.
Things got worse for United when Paul Pogba limped off with an injury and had to be replaced by out-of-form striker Ibrahimovic, who was soon involved in controversy.
The Premier League visitors were on top throughout the second period but were dealt a sucker-punch when Jeremain Lens' stunning free-kick doubled their lead.
Wayne Rooney grabbed a late consolation for the English side but Fenerbahce held on to a 2-1 victory, which saw United drop down to third in Group A.
Jose Mourinho still had his eyes on the match as Ibrahimovic and Kjaer clashed on touchline
Referee Milorad Mazic chose not to book either player despite the first-half incidentÂ
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