Southampton winger Nathan Redmond says Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was "only very complimentary and positive" following their bizarre confrontation at the end of the Premier League clash on Wednesday night.
Guardiola appeared to to gesticulate at the player in an aggressive manner following City's 2-1 victory after a 96th-minute Raheem Sterling strike.
However, the Catalan explained in his postmatch news conference that he was simply letting Redmond know what an admirer he was of his talents and that he was wasted having to defend.
And in a statement posted on Twitter on Thursday, Redmond, 23, confirmed that Guardiola had not said anything negative to him.
"Yes he was very passionate, intense and aggressive but he was only very complimentary and positive to me," Redmond said. "He commented on my qualities as a young English player and how he wanted me to attack his team more during the game in a similar way to last season.
"I told him I was doing what my manager had asked me to do in the game. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Nothing negative or offensive was said towards me from Pep and that's what makes him one of the best managers in world football.
Just to clear a few things up for those wondering. Funny old game isn't it. pic.twitter.com/xUSr99MVeE
— Redz (@NathanRedmond22) November 30, 2017
"Losing the game we did in the last kick of the game after working so hard for 90-plus minutes, I was very disappointed but when one of the world's best managers compliments you or gives advice in any way, you listen."
There have been calls for Guardiola to be charged with improper conduct but that is only likely to happen if the incident is mentioned in the referee's report.
The City boss also jumped on the pitch to celebrate Sterling's late strike that maintained City's eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League. He apologised for going onto the pitch but admitted he couldn't control his emotions.
"I said [to the referee] I apologise because I couldn't control it, I was so happy like all the fans and players," Guardiola told a news conference.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sent off during a 1-0 win over Southampton in September after encroaching onto the pitch. However, the Portuguese was not charged by the FA over the incident.