DUSAN Tadic admits he "didn't understand" why Manchester United's Ashley Young elbowed him in the stomach during Saints' 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Referee Craig Pawson did not spot the incident at the time but Young has found himself in trouble with the FA after he appeared to dig an elbow into Tadic during the goalless draw.

The Serbia international said: “Yes, he elbowed me and I asked him 'why did you do this?'. I didn't really understand. I can fall down but it was really strange because I didn't expect that from him."

The 29-year-old expected better behaviour from an experienced player like Young, 32, who has been charged with violent conduct.

"I'm disappointed about that because you don't expect that from him, because he's an experienced player and he cannot do that I think," he said.

The incident took place as a corner came into the United box early in the second half and Tadic insists there was no provocation on his part.

He said: “No, no, no. Nothing. I was surprised, and then the next corner I asked him 'why did you do that?' and he said 'I didn't do anything'. I said 'you didn't do anything? You elbowed me in the stomach without reason'. Okay, if you want to push it's different, but an elbow is different."

Despite that nasty event, Tadic came away pleased with a hard-earned point at United.

He said: “Yes I think we deserved a point. We showed great character and in some moments we could have taken three points, but we are happy to get a point against such a good team.

“I think it's very important because in the last game we conceded five goals and now we have shown we have the mentality to keep a clean sheet and be more dangerous," he added.

"We had some chances and maybe we should have taken three points but I think we need to be happy with the point."

Now Tadic has urged Saints to build on the positives at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace tomorrow night.

He said: “We have quality, we need to believe in ourselves and to play with more courage.

“It's a very important game for us, I hope we will take three points, they're a very strong team and difficult to beat, but I hope we can do that and we need to prepare well for that."