Leicester manager Nigel Pearson launched a critical attack on Wigan and former manager Uwe Rosler following a bizarre altercation with former transfer target James McArthur during his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Pearson was initially bowled over on the touchline by McArthur after a tackle by Marc Albrighton, resulting in what was initially a friendly exchange between the Foxes boss and Palace midfielder.

Pearson even playfully grabbed McArthur around the throat before helping him to his feet, only to then prevent him from returning to the pitch by grabbing hold of his shirt.

Asked why he refused to let go of McArthur, who almost joined City last summer only for the club’s two bids of £5 million and £7m to be rejected by Wigan, Pearson replied: “Because he said something to me.”

“I’ve a lot of respect for the lad, he’s a good player. You know what happened in the summer in terms of him coming here.

“It was nothing to do with either myself or the player … that’s the other football club that were involved who take absolute responsibility for anything that wasn’t quite right.”