Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has denied deliberately kicking Seamus Coleman in the head, saying he could have made the Everton defender "fall asleep" if it had been on purpose.
Ibrahimovic tangled with Coleman early in the second half of Sunday's 1-1 draw between the sides at Goodison Park.
Referee Michael Oliver did not appear to see the incident, leaving open the possibility of retrospective disciplinary action from the Football Association.
Speaking to MUTV, Ibrahimovic said: "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 Donegal man struggled to play on after the clash and was replaced by sub Matthew Holgate 10 minutes later.
“I’m not one to come off. It’s feeling much better now, after the game. I couldn’t stand up straight and I couldn’t run really, so it was a cause of using your head,” Coleman told Newstalk FM.
“There’s no point being brave and not being fit to play to your full potential, especially against a team like that, because you could be at fault for a goal. Your bravery would end up being stupid.”
Everton snatched a point at the death as Leighton Baines scored from the penalty spot after United substitute Marouane Fellaini conceded a penalty, cancelling out a fine lob from Ibrahimovic just before half-time.
"I got a fantastic ball from (Anthony) Martial, and I saw the goalkeeper coming out, so I tried to time it right," Ibrahimovic said of his goal.
"I scored today but it only gave us one point. I would prefer to win and not to score, that is my way of thinking."
