ibra-elbow
Ibrahimovic elbowed Mings (Picture: Sky Sports)

Gary Neville believes Kevin Friend bottled sending off Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the Manchester United striker elbowed Tyrone Mings.

The Red Devils legend was in the commentary box as the Swedish striker threw his elbow at the Bournemouth defender, who had earlier stamped on his head.

Ibrahimovic had been involved in a battle with the left-sided defender throughout the first half, which resulted in some really quite violent conduct from both players.

And Neville believes it was incredible that Ibrahimovic wasn’t sent off.

‘We’ve just seen a bout of UFC,’ he said.

ibrah-stamped-on
Ibrahimovic was stamped on (Picture: Sky Sports)

‘Someone stamps on head your head you are bound to go for them.

‘The referee has bottled it don’t like to say that about referees but you have to send off Ibrahimovic if you’ve seen it.’

Jamie Carragher agreed with Neville, claiming Friend had bottled the decision.

‘We can see it’s an elbow, maybe there was someone in his way,’ he said at half-time.

‘But then what’s he talking to zlatan about? he’s either seen it or bottled it. he called Zlatan over.

‘I felt he was going give him a red card, I think he’s panicked, bottled it. He’s just froze.’

MORE : Liverpool legend reminds Man United fans of treble taunts