Bastian Schweinsteiger charged: German has until Thursday to reply to violent conduct case

German midfielder has until 10 December to reply to the charge

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Winston Reid clash during the 0-0 stalemate at Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged by the Football Association for violent conduct during the goalless draw with West Ham United on Saturday.

The German clashed with Winston Reid at Old Trafford, appearing to push his forearm into the throat of the New Zealander, and the matter has since been referred to a panel of three former elite referees who will review the footage.

It remains unclear if Schweinsteiger will appeal the charge but the former Bayern Munich midfielder has until noon on 10 December 2015 to reply.

Hammers manager Slavan Bilic lambasted the incident at full-time, labelling it a ‘straight red’ and a ‘big time red’ but refused to blame referee Mark Clattenburg directly.

He said: “It was a moment of madness and he deserved to be sent off, but it's impossible for the ref to see everything.

“No matter how many referees you have, sometimes they can't see. I'm sure if he did see it, it would have been a straight red. Of course we are disappointed but it happens. He just didn't see it.

“I saw it on the replays at half-time. It was a red, a big-time red. I understand the decision but it was a crucial moment. I can't blame the referee.”

Meanwhile Reid was more direct in his criticism of the 31-year-old after the match.

“He knows what he’s done - he has elbowed me in the face,” the West Ham defender said.

The clash occurred just before the half-time interval with Schweinsteiger appearing to raise his forearm into Reid’s face as they competed for the ball.