Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini: 'Pablo Zabaleta ran into my elbow'

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has suggested that Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta ran into his elbow during Tuesday's derby at Old Trafford.

Zabaleta believes that Fellaini deserved a red card for the offence during City's emphatic 3-0 win.

Despite calls for a sending-off, referee Michael Oliver issued the Belgium international with a booking instead.

According to the Daily Mail, when asked if he was lucky to escape with just a yellow card, Fellaini said: "I don't know, but I certainly didn't do it on purpose.

"I put my arm up to try and protect possession of the ball, and Zabaleta bounced [his jaw] against it. He was unlucky to make contact. The movement by me was not in an aggressive manner. It was a defensive move to protect the ball."

United are currently seventh in the Premier League table, 12 points adrift of a Champions League spot.