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Pablo Zabaleta has described Marouane Fellaini’s claim that he ran into his elbow as ‘the funniest thing I have heard in my life’.

The United midfielder escaped a red card following a sickening incident in the first half of the derby which left the Argentine pole-axed.

Fellaini has subsequently escaped further punishment after appearing to spit gum at Zabaleta as he lay on the floor.

And while the Blues right-back says he accepts the FA’s decision not to act on that he did hit out at the Belgian’s defence of his elbow.

“I was a little bit frustrated when Fellaini just elbowed me,” Zabaleta told M.E.N. Sport.

“I heard him say that I ran into his elbow but that’s the funniest thing I ever heard in my life. I think he should have been sent off for that, 100 per cent. I know I’m not the tallest player in the league but he left the ball and just tried to elbow me.”

Because Fellaini was yellow carded officials could not review the incident.

However, they did launch a probe after footage appeared to show him spit gum in the direction of Zabaleta after he was cautioned.

That investigation subsequently cleared Fellaini of any wrongdoing and Zabaleta added that he respected that conclusion.

“I’m not to say anything about the spitting because I didn’t see it when I was on the pitch,” he said. “I saw some images after the game but I will respect the FA’s decision about it. They are the right people to decide all these things.”

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