Winston Reid copped an elbow to the neck during West Ham's draw against Manchester United.

Manchester United's German star Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged with violent conduct against All Whites captain Winston Reid.

Television footage showed the 2014 World Cup winner's left forearm connecting with West Ham defender Reid's throat in the 40th minute of their teams' 0-0 draw in the English Premier League on Sunday (NZ time).

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GETTY IMAGES Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged with violent conduct following his clash with West Ham defender and All Whites captain Winston Reid.

Schweinsteiger has been officially charged by the Football Association and faces a three-match suspension if found guilty, according to the BBC. The cut-off for him replying to the charge is 1pm on Thursday.

While referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to the pair after the incident, he did not see the forearm and did not include it in his post-match report.

A panel of three former referees have reviewed what happened, an FA statement said.

EDDIE KEOGH/REUTERS The FA has charged Manchester United star Bastian Schweinsteiger with violent conduct against Kiwi defender Winston Reid.

"Each reviewed the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they considered it a sending-off offence.

"For an FA charge to follow the decision by the panel must be unanimous."

Following the match at Old Trafford, in which Reid played a starring role, he was in no doubt Schweinsteiger should have been sent off.

"It was a red card," Reid said in Britain's Daily Mail. "He knows what he's done – he's elbowed me in the face. The referee couldn't see it, so we move on."

Reid was backed by his manager Slaven Bilic, who added: "I saw it on the replays at halftime. It was a red, a big-time red. I understand the decision but it was a crucial moment. I can't blame the referee."