Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has accepted a Football Association charge of violent conduct and will serve a three-match suspension, the governing body has announced.

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The German international stuck out his left arm and caught West Ham defender Winston Reid in the throat as both players jostled for position from a first-half free-kick during the goalless draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The incident was not mentioned in referee Mark Clattenburg’s post-match report as he did not see the clash, leaving the FA free to punish Schweinsteiger retrospectively.

He had the option of appealing but he has decided to accept the charge.

The three-match suspension comes into effect immediately with Schweinsteiger missing the games against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic added: “It’s a clear red card. A straight red without any doubts. It was a moment of madness.

“He deserved to be sent off, but the referee told me he didn’t see it. Fair enough, I believe it. It was an elbow.”

Schweinsteiger will now miss United’s next three Barclays Premier League games, away to Bournemouth on Saturday as well as the visit of Norwich on December 19 and the Boxing Day trip to Stoke.

The 31-year-old’s absence will come as a further blow to United’s injury-hit squad, even though manager Louis van Gaal suggested Schweinsteiger under-performed in the 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg, and that is why he was substituted.