08-03-2013, 17:36
What Fergie said when ref decisions went FOR Man United
Man United v Arsenal 2004 – Wayne Rooney/Sol Campbell penalty
When Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford in October 2004, they did so looking to extend their record 49 match unbeaten Premier League run. That streak was ended for the Gunners after United benefitted from a questionable penalty decision, when Arsenal's Sol Campbell tangled with Wayne Rooney. Replays afterwards showed minimal contact between the two, but Mike Riley's decision stood and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot, before Rooney rounded off proceedings with a 90th minute second.
Fergie said: “The referee made the decision and the decision went for us today. It evens itself out over the course of the season. I saw the penalty and of course it is touch and go, but my first reaction was to put my arms up when I saw it. That was my natural reaction.”
Liverpool v Man United 2012 - Jonjo Shelvey red card
If Nani feels hard done by over his Real Madrid red card, imagine how Jonjo Shelvey felt when he was dismissed for a 50-50 challenge on Jonny Evans earlier this season. Despite an initial flare-up over the robust tackle, replays later showed that Shelvey won the ball with a hard but seemingly fair tackle. United still toiled against Liverpool's 10 men, but emerged with a 2-1 win.
Fergie said: “Jonjo Shelvey’s sending off was a clear red card, there was a dangerous attempt to go for the ball. Jonny Evans went for the ball and got it, and I don’t think there was any other decision referee could make.”
Man United v Tottenham 2010 – Nani controversial goal
One of the most controversial goals scored in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur felt aggrieved when Nani pinched the ball from the toe of Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to stroke into an empty net. With the 'keeper expecting referee Mark Clattenburg to award a free-kick following an apparent hand-ball by Nani, he placed the ball on the ground, only for the Portuguese to run off and score. Ferguson was supportive of the official, instead suggesting that the blame laid at the feet of Gomes.
Fergie said: “It was bizarre. No one knew at the time what was wrong. One minute the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and next it's in his net. Nani looked back and looked at the referee and the referee said play on, so what can he do but put the ball in the net? You can look at the referee and look at the linesmen and blame them, but the keeper should know better. He's experienced. I thought he made a mess of it.”
Man City v Man United 2012 FA Cup – Vincent Kompany red card
The FA Cup third-round clash between Man City and Man United was overshadowed by yet another red card, after City captain Vincent Kompany was dismissed for a challenge judged more on its intent, rather than its outcome. The Belgian beat Nani to the ball, with the Portuguese hurdling the challenge. However, in the eyes of referee Chris Foy (and Ferguson) it was dangerous and merited a straight sending off.
Asked if it was a red card, Fergie said: "I think so. If there had been contact with Nani then it would have been a bad one."
Wigan v Man United 2011 - Wayne Rooney elbows James McCarthy
The letter of the law was the only thing that prevented Wayne Rooney from receiving a retrospective ban, after the Man United striker elbowed Wigan's James McCarthy right under the nose of referee Mark Clattenburg. The official appeared to deal with the incident, awarding a free-kick to Wigan, giving Rooney no further punishment despite television replays showing the level of malice in his elbow.
Fergie said: “The rules are straight and clearly there. Mark Clattenburg dealt with it, he spoke to the player and gave the free-kick to Wigan. That was the end of the story. The one person who comes out with great credit is the referee himself as he was obviously under tremendous pressure, probably from the Football Association and from the media, which we expected. It’s over with.”
Chelsea v Man United 2012 – Fernando Torres sent off
The first meeting of Chelsea and Man United this season came with the Blues four points ahead of Fergie's team, but United ran out controversial 3-2 winners. The match provided two discussion points surrounding the referee's decisions, namely Fernando Torres' sending off and Javier Hernandez's offside goal to win the game. Torres was already on a caution when he went through on goal and his legs clipped those of Jonny Evans, resulting in the striker tumbling to the ground. Mark Clattenburg booked the Spaniard - who looked utterly bemused by the decision - for a second time. Man United's manager had little sympathy for Torres and found it difficult to deny their winning goal should not have been allowed.
Fergie said: “The decision the referee has to make is whether the striker has chosen to go down. He was through on goal – I don’t know why he has gone down. I think it’s his own fault. We’ve never got breaks down here and had some terrible decisions against us in the last few years. But today we have got a little break for the goal – Chicharito may have been offside.”
Man United v Arsenal 2004 – Wayne Rooney/Sol Campbell penalty
When Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford in October 2004, they did so looking to extend their record 49 match unbeaten Premier League run. That streak was ended for the Gunners after United benefitted from a questionable penalty decision, when Arsenal's Sol Campbell tangled with Wayne Rooney. Replays afterwards showed minimal contact between the two, but Mike Riley's decision stood and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot, before Rooney rounded off proceedings with a 90th minute second.
Fergie said: “The referee made the decision and the decision went for us today. It evens itself out over the course of the season. I saw the penalty and of course it is touch and go, but my first reaction was to put my arms up when I saw it. That was my natural reaction.”
Liverpool v Man United 2012 - Jonjo Shelvey red card
If Nani feels hard done by over his Real Madrid red card, imagine how Jonjo Shelvey felt when he was dismissed for a 50-50 challenge on Jonny Evans earlier this season. Despite an initial flare-up over the robust tackle, replays later showed that Shelvey won the ball with a hard but seemingly fair tackle. United still toiled against Liverpool's 10 men, but emerged with a 2-1 win.
Fergie said: “Jonjo Shelvey’s sending off was a clear red card, there was a dangerous attempt to go for the ball. Jonny Evans went for the ball and got it, and I don’t think there was any other decision referee could make.”
Man United v Tottenham 2010 – Nani controversial goal
One of the most controversial goals scored in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur felt aggrieved when Nani pinched the ball from the toe of Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to stroke into an empty net. With the 'keeper expecting referee Mark Clattenburg to award a free-kick following an apparent hand-ball by Nani, he placed the ball on the ground, only for the Portuguese to run off and score. Ferguson was supportive of the official, instead suggesting that the blame laid at the feet of Gomes.
Fergie said: “It was bizarre. No one knew at the time what was wrong. One minute the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and next it's in his net. Nani looked back and looked at the referee and the referee said play on, so what can he do but put the ball in the net? You can look at the referee and look at the linesmen and blame them, but the keeper should know better. He's experienced. I thought he made a mess of it.”
Man City v Man United 2012 FA Cup – Vincent Kompany red card
The FA Cup third-round clash between Man City and Man United was overshadowed by yet another red card, after City captain Vincent Kompany was dismissed for a challenge judged more on its intent, rather than its outcome. The Belgian beat Nani to the ball, with the Portuguese hurdling the challenge. However, in the eyes of referee Chris Foy (and Ferguson) it was dangerous and merited a straight sending off.
Asked if it was a red card, Fergie said: "I think so. If there had been contact with Nani then it would have been a bad one."
Wigan v Man United 2011 - Wayne Rooney elbows James McCarthy
The letter of the law was the only thing that prevented Wayne Rooney from receiving a retrospective ban, after the Man United striker elbowed Wigan's James McCarthy right under the nose of referee Mark Clattenburg. The official appeared to deal with the incident, awarding a free-kick to Wigan, giving Rooney no further punishment despite television replays showing the level of malice in his elbow.
Fergie said: “The rules are straight and clearly there. Mark Clattenburg dealt with it, he spoke to the player and gave the free-kick to Wigan. That was the end of the story. The one person who comes out with great credit is the referee himself as he was obviously under tremendous pressure, probably from the Football Association and from the media, which we expected. It’s over with.”
Chelsea v Man United 2012 – Fernando Torres sent off
The first meeting of Chelsea and Man United this season came with the Blues four points ahead of Fergie's team, but United ran out controversial 3-2 winners. The match provided two discussion points surrounding the referee's decisions, namely Fernando Torres' sending off and Javier Hernandez's offside goal to win the game. Torres was already on a caution when he went through on goal and his legs clipped those of Jonny Evans, resulting in the striker tumbling to the ground. Mark Clattenburg booked the Spaniard - who looked utterly bemused by the decision - for a second time. Man United's manager had little sympathy for Torres and found it difficult to deny their winning goal should not have been allowed.
Fergie said: “The decision the referee has to make is whether the striker has chosen to go down. He was through on goal – I don’t know why he has gone down. I think it’s his own fault. We’ve never got breaks down here and had some terrible decisions against us in the last few years. But today we have got a little break for the goal – Chicharito may have been offside.”
![[Image: img_20130502_163527_thumb.jpg]](http://www.imagechunk.com/viewer.php?file=img_20130502_163527.jpg)