Zlatan Ibrahimovic has offered a typically forthright defence against accusations he kicked Everton’s Seamus Coleman in the head during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon.

Ibrahimovic and Coleman tangled early in the second half at Goodison Park, with the United man’s foot appearing to catch his opponent as both tumbled to the ground.

Ibrahimovic told MUTV: “It was a physical game. They played hard.

“I heard one of the commentators say I kicked someone in the head on purpose, but it was a 50-50 duel and he pulled me down.

“Trust me, if I want to kick someone in the head, I know how to kick someone in the head and make him fall asleep. That is the only thing I have to say.”

The incident was missed by referee Michael Oliver, leaving it open to possible retrospective disciplinary action by the Football Association.