Ibrahimovic faces three-match ban

ZLATAN Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings had until 6pm today to respond to the Football Association charges for alleged violent conduct they were served.

Manchester United stand to be without their talismanic Swedish forward for the FA Cup clash at Chelsea as well as Premier League encounters with Middlesbrough and West Brom after Ibrahimovic's elbow caught Mings in the face during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

That came just after the Cherries defender's left boot landed on Ibrahimovic's head, with Mings now facing the possibility of an even longer ban following the FA's probe into the incidents.

Both players had professed their innocence and escaped punishment at the time as referee Kevin Friend failed to spot them, yet FA charges were brought about yesterday once a panel of three former elite officials had studied the video footage.

An FA statement read: "Ibrahimovic and Mings have both been charged with alleged violent conduct following the Manchester United versus AFC Bournemouth game on Saturday.

"The players were involved in two separate incidents in or around the 44th minute which were not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on video.

"Furthermore, The FA has submitted a claim that the standard punishment that would otherwise apply for the misconduct committed by the Bournemouth defender is 'clearly insufficient'.

"Both players have until 6pm on Tuesday 7 March to reply to their charge."

Ibrahimovic later had a second-half penalty saved in the game as United drew for the seventh time at home in the Premier League.

The 35-year-old seemed prepared to accept such an eventuality when quizzed on the matter following Saturday's game.

"I respect every decision," he had said. "I am not here to attack anybody. The game is hard."