Image: STU FORSTER/GETTY IMAGES
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans says he did not spit at Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse during Wednesday's 1-0 Premier League victory at St James' Park.
Television replays appeared to show the Northern Ireland international spitting in the direction of Cisse, who was on the ground after they had tangled in the first half.
Cisse then reacts angrily and seems to return the compliment.
In a statement issued by Manchester United yesterday, Evans said: "I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night's match. I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse.
"I was unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his retaliation.
"It is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody, nor is it something I have ever done or would ever do. It is certainly not something that I did last night."
Neither player was cautioned and both managers, Manchester United's Louis van Gaal and Newcastle's John Carver, said they had not seen the incident.