Saints’ Tadic: Young elbow shocked me

LONDON: Southampton’s Dusan Tadic says he was shocked to be the victim of an elbow from Ashley Young during Saturday’s goalless draw at Manchester United.

Television footage emerged of United wing-back Young appearing to elbow Tadic in the stomach as the hosts prepared to defend a corner in the second half of the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Young, 32, was charged by the Football Association with violent conduct and has since accepted a three-match ban.

“Ashley Young will be suspended for Manchester United’s next three matches,” an FA spokesman said.

“He accepted a violent conduct charge following an off-the-ball incident during yesterday’s game against Southampton, but argued the suspension was excessive. This was rejected by a regulatory commission.”

Saints midfielder Tadic, who made little of the matter on the field at the time, gave his version of events to reporters after the game.

The Serbian said: “Yes, he elbowed me and I asked him, ‘Why did you do this?’ I didn’t really understand. I can fall down but it was really strange because I didn’t expect that from him.”

Tadic says he did not provoke Young.

“No, no, no, nothing,” said the 29-year-old. “I was surprised, and then next corner I asked him, ‘Why did you do that?’, and he said, ‘I didn’t do anything’.

“I said, ‘You didn’t do anything? You elbowed me in the stomach without reason. OK, if you want to push it’s different, but an elbow is different.”

The incident was not spotted by referee Craig Pawson.

Asked if Young should have have been sent off, Tadic said: “Yes, but normally you cannot see that.

“I’m disappointed about that because you don’t expect that from him, because he’s an experienced player and he cannot do that I think.” Daily Mail