Manchester United on EL 2015/2016

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Marouane Fellaini escapes UEFA ban for 'elbow' on Liverpool midfielder Emre Can during Europa League defeat at Anfield

* Marouane Fellaini appeared to throw an elbow at Emre Can last week
* Incident occurred during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester United
* But Can played down the clash as just a 'small fight'
* United will attempt to overturn two-goal Europa League deficit on Thursday

Marouane Fellaini is free to play in Manchester United's Europa League return against Liverpool after dodging a ban for what looked like an elbow on Emre Can during the first leg at Anfield.

Television cameras picked up the Belgium international seemingly swinging a forearm into his German opponent's neck in the final moments of the Reds' 2-0 first-leg victory at Anfield.

The incident was missed by Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo but Fellaini was left to sweat over retrospective action by UEFA.





The Belgium international clashed with Can towards the end of their Europa League last-16 tie at Anfield

But match officials did not mention the incident in their report so European football's governing body have let Fellaini off the hook.

That means the midfielder will be available to help United's attempts to come back from the dead against their old rivals at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

Despite the ugly evidence picked up by the cameras, after the match Can played down the apparent elbow from Fellaini.

'It was just a small fight. It was okay. It was not a boxing ring punch,' said the German midfielder.

'Fellaini is a fair sportsman. He touched my throat with his elbow but it is okay.'

Fellaini was the subject of sarcastic cheers by United fans when he was substituted during the 1-1 FA Cup quarter-final draw with West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The 28-year-old started in the heart of the midfield during another insipid team display, and thousands of supporters made their feelings known when he was withdrawn for Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 76th minute.

Asked if he was disappointed by the fans' reaction, Van Gaal replied: 'Yeah, because I think Fellaini again played a good match.

'He performed well in our game play and that was disappointing, but that was the only moment that I was disappointed because they were supporting our side, in spite of two losses this week.

'Maybe they have another opinion to me.'

Meanwhile, United have also avoided UEFA sanction for supporters' chants about the Hillsborough disaster during Thursday's Europa League clash with Liverpool.

Last week was the first European meeting of United and Liverpool.

The match was somewhat overshadowed by unsavoury chants from the away end, with sections of the travelling support heard singing about the Hillsborough disaster on several occasions.

A crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, in which 96 people were killed, was the subject of chants referencing media coverage at the time.

However, a UEFA spokesperson has confirmed United will not be punished for the incident.

The chanting was not mentioned in the match officials' reports, additional reports included, so no disciplinary proceedings have been opened as a result.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3491366/Marouane-Fellaini-escapes-UEFA-ban-elbow-Liverpool-midfielder-Emre-Europa-League-defeat-Anfield.html

napa gak kena hukuman aja sekalian, kalo gini kan Fellaini punya kans jadi starter lagi vs Liverpool. 2 partai berat didepan, home vs Liverpool di EL & tandang ke Etihad di EPL

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Louis van Gaal 'pleased the fans recognised that' Manchester United gave everything despite Europa League exit to Liverpool

* Manchester United drew 1-1 with Liverpool in the Europa League last-16 tie
* After a 2-0 first leg win, Jurgen Klopp's Reds team won 3-1 on aggregate
* United created a number of chances but lacked a cutting edge at Old Trafford
* United manager Louis van Gaal insists he is not frustrated with his players

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists he is neither angry nor frustrated but proud of his players despite their Europa League exit.

A 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool, after Philippe Coutinho's goal just before half-time cancelled out Anthony Martial's penalty, put the visitors through 3-1 on aggregate.

United created a number of chances in the first half in particular but lacked a cutting edge with goalkeeper David de Gea once again their best player.



Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists he is neither angry nor frustrated but proud of his players

It increases the pressure on Van Gaal, whose side are four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a trip to the Etihad Stadium next up, but he believes a derby is the one thing which can spark life into their bid for Champions League qualification.

'I am not angry, I am not frustrated. I was very proud of my players,' said Van Gaal despite the pressure increasing on him.

'They gave everything and I was very pleased the fans recognised that. They applauded after the match despite us being out - that was remarkable I think.

'We have created a lot of chances; we scored a penalty, [chances for] Lingard, Mata, Fellaini, Martial, and then you concede a goal in the last seconds.

'That is what we did not do in Liverpool, they scored an away goal and that makes a difference how they feel in the dressing room at half-time.

'In the second half we tried to raise ourselves out of disappointment but you know, the fans know, everyone knows we have to score three goals and that was more difficult.

'There is always pressure. Expectations are very high so pressure for these players is always very high. We can cope with that but we were not lucky today.

'I hope City is the catalyst. We have to beat City and we have a chance to still qualify (for the Champions League).'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3497946/Louis-van-Gaal-pleased-fans-recognised-Manchester-United-gave-despite-Europa-League-exit-Liverpool.html