Manchester United: Marouane Fellaini facing ban after elbow on Robert Huth

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini could be facing an FA ban after an elbow on Leicester City defender Robert Huth.

Fellaini and Huth clashed as a throw in was being taken in the first half of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. The Leicester defender appeared to pull the Belgian's hair before the United midfielder swung an elbow back, catching his opponent on the chin.

Referee Michael Oliver took no action during the match but should the FA take retrospective action, Fellaini faces the possibility of a three-match ban for violent conduct – if found guilty.

The incident drew parallels with the clash between Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli and West Brom's Claudio Yacob during the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Monday 25 April. The 20-year-old, recently crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year, appeared to strike Yacob in the stomach as the two jostled for the ball just inside the penalty area. Referee Mike Jones did not see the incident but Alli was handed a three-match ban after admitting to a violent conduct charge last week.

The FA have been quick to take retrospective action on incidents involving violent conduct this season. Fellaini's teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger was handed a three match ban after a similar incident against West Ham United in December, while Diego Costa was also retrospectively banned for three matches after clashing with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny in September.

When asked about the Fellaini incident post-match, United manager Louis van Gaal defended his player, insisting Huth should have been penalised first for pulling the Belgian's hair.

"I think we played one of our best matches of the season, but it was not enough. It was a very difficult match for the referee - when you see what Huth is doing with Fellaini, is that not a penalty? Every human being who is grabbed with their hair would react."

If Fellaini is charged with violent conduct, he will miss United's final three league games of the season against Norwich City, West Ham United and Bournemouth.