A TUNNEL bust-up erupted after Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday that lifted Jose Mourinho’s team out of sixth place in the Premier League for the first time in 19 weeks.
There was a heated on-field fracas involving Middlesbrough’s Rudy Gestede and United’s Eric Bailly in stoppage time and the dispute continued after the game, coming to a head in the tunnel.
Bailly and his teammate, Ashley Young, appeared most unhappy.
But Gestede laughed off suggestions he and Bailly had tried to bite each in an incident which led to the altercation.
WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
Gestede came off the bench to score for Middlesbrough in the 77th minute after his side had trailed 2-0.
United record 600th win1:27
EPL: Manchester United have recorded their 600th win in the Premier League era with a 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough
Just before Antonio Valencia’s late goal wrapped up a 3-1 win for United there was a heated exchange between Gestede and United defender Bailly, with players from both sides joining the argument.
Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson thought Gestede had been bitten by Bailly, but the striker denied any talk of there being a bite from either of them and television replays supported his claim.
“We had a few words together, it was nothing major,” Gestede said. “He gave me a hug and a kiss, that’s it. I didn’t feel anything.
“Ben thought he bit me, so that’s why he reacted like he did. But I told him now we were just talking, there was no problem.”
Lingard scores, honours Drake0:52
EPL: Jesse Lingard scores a length of the field goal and then honours rapper Drake in his celebration
Originally published as Video: Bite accusation leads to ugly late bust-up