Manchester United ace Jonny Evans DENIES spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse

The Northern Ireland international said he was "shocked" to read reports of the incident after last night's clash at Newcastle, which United won 1-0.

The Football Association have launched an investigation into the incident, which could see the pair handed up to six-match bans.

A statement from Evans read: "Having woken up this morning 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 totally unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his attempted retaliation to the tackle from the floor. 

"During the game Papiss Cisse and I spoke about the incident and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting.

"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."

While Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal admits he did not see the incident at the time, he has jumped to the defence of his centre-half.

The Dutchman said: "I didn't see that from the bench. It's too far to see spitting, so I cannot judge that. 

"But I cannot imagine that Jonny Evans, because he is a very modest person, that he could do that. I cannot imagine."

Van Gaal's counterpart at Newcastle, John Carver, believes spitting is 'one of the worst things' in the game and believes it should be punished.

"I am aware of it now, it's been brought to my attention, but I've not seen it," he said.

"I just saw a fracas by the half way line. The referee spoke to them both so I need to have a look at it myself. The players haven't said anything about it to me in the dressing room."

Asked if he would take action, he added: "You can't do it, can you? It's one of the worst things in football."