David Beckham pleads innocence after his clash with Lee Bowyer. (ShaunBotterill/GettyImages)

The England captain escaped without a warning for his challenge while the pair chased a 22nd-minute clearance from Fabien Barthez.

But because referee Jeff Winter awarded a free-kick in Bowyer's favour, the FA deem that he dealt with the incident and are not expected to pursue the matter further.

Only a retrospective admission by Winter either verbally or in his match report that he had misjudged the challenge would prompt the FA to react.

An FA spokesman said: 'Clearly we are awaiting Jeff Winter's report from the game.

'As with any decision made by a match referee during the course of a game, once they have taken action on the field - for example awarding a free-kick or a penalty or cautioning a player - then the decision has been taken.

'The only way therefore that a decision can be reversed or looked at further is if the match official advised the FA that he had not dealt with the issue in full.'

Beckham is the second United player to walk into an elbowing storm this season. Roy Keane was sent off for elbowing Jason McAteer during their match against Sunderland three weeks ago, which resulted in a three-match ban for violent conduct.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday he would be 'very surprised' if Beckham had deliberately elbowed Bowyer.