Van Gaal refutes Fellaini spit claim but manager

LOUIS van Gaal defended Marouane Fellaini after the United midfielder appeared to spit at Sergio Aguero during the Manchester derby.

In a typically heated clash between two of English football’s most bitter rivals, Fellaini became irate with City striker Aguero in an incident towards the end of the first half.

Aguero tumbled to the floor after Fellaini kicked his standing leg and the hosts appealed for a penalty, which was not given.

Fellaini clearly did not feel it was a foul and he bent down to shout at the Argentinian as he lay face down on the floor.

Some spit appeared to exit the Belgian’s mouth as he unleashed his tirade at the striker, but Van Gaal insists it was not intentional.

“The TV has shown that he is shouting and sometimes when you shout there’s a little bit of saliva [that comes out] with it,” the United boss said. “I don’t think that he’s a spitting figure.”

Van Gaal’s opposite number Manuel Pellegrini said he was not aware of the incident.

The Football Association will wait to see if referee Michael Oliver mentions the incident in his report before deciding whether to take any action against Fellaini.

If the alleged spit was not seen by the referee or any of his assistants, the FA video review panel could take disciplinary action against the Belgian if they think it was a deliberate act.

While Van Gaal was quick to defend Fellaini he was vocal in his criticism of Chris Smalling, angrily branding the defender “stupid” after his dismissal helped City beat United.

City’s task was made much easier by Smalling, who received two yellow cards in eight minutes just before half-time.

Oliver showed Smalling a yellow card for a cynical block on Joe Hart as he attempted to kick the ball downfield from his hands. The England defender slid in on James Milner soon after, leaving Oliver with no option but to issue him with a second yellow.

Van Gaal, who had warned his players pre-match they must not get sent off, said: “In a derby you have to be careful – the second yellow card is a stupid yellow card.

“As a player you have to control your aggression. I didn’t see the first yellow