Van Gaal refutes Fellaini spit claim.

The Belgian stooped over Sergio Aguero following a rejected penalty appeal but his manager says it was natural and "when you shout there is saliva".

Louis van Gaal has defended Marouane Fellaini following claims that he spat at Sergio Aguero during the Manchester derby.

Manchester United were defeated 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a brilliant finish from the Argentine after a first half that saw two penalty claims denied and Chris Smalling red-carded.

Yet Van Gaal was forced to defend his midfielder after footage emerged after the game of Fellaini appearing to spit in the direction of Aguero following a rejected penalty appeal.

When asked by reporters if the Belgian had spat at Aguero, Van Gaal said: "I’ve heard it’s a question on social media but also I’ve heard on TV he is shouting. And when you shout there is saliva."

A similar incident occured at the KC Stadium in March this year and led to George Boyd earning a three-game suspension for allegedly spitting at Joe Hart.