Spitting spat has Fellaini mad

London - Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has slammed claims he spat at Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during Sunday's derby clash.

Fellaini and Aguero tussled in the first half of City's 1-0 victory at Eastlands after the Argentina striker tumbled to the floor following a challenge from the Belgian.

Fellaini kicked Aguero's standing leg and the hosts appealed for a penalty, which was not given.

The United player clearly did not feel it was a foul and he bent down to shout at Aguero, who went on to score City's winner.

TV replays showed that some spit appeared to exit the Belgian's mouth as he unleashed his tirade at the striker, but former Everton star Fellaini says he did nothing wrong.

"The press loves to invent the stories when there aren't any. Thanks the journalist," he tweeted on Monday.

The Football Association will wait to see if referee Michael Oliver mentions the incident in his report before deciding whether to take any action against Fellaini.

If the alleged spit was not seen by the referee or any of his assistants, the FA video review panel could take disciplinary action against the Belgian if they think it was a deliberate act.

United manager Louis van Gaal defended his player after the match.

"The TV has shown that he is shouting and sometimes when you shout there's a little bit of saliva (that comes out) with it," van Gaal said.

"I don't think that he's a spitting figure."