Sir Alex Ferguson praised Roberto Rosetti for protecting Cristiano Ronaldo in Man Utd's 0-0 draw with Villarreal.
United boss happy to see Ronaldo receive protection from officials
Sir Alex Ferguson praised referee Roberto Rosetti for protecting Cristiano Ronaldo during Manchester United's 0-0 draw with Villarreal.
United boss Ferguson has regularly bemoaned the treatment opposition defenders have dished out to the Portuguese winger both at home and in Europe.
But Villarreal full-back Joan Capdevila was sent off for a crude challenge on Ronaldo late on and Ferguson gave Rosetti's display the thumbs-up.
"The systematic fouling on him (Ronaldo) is what is happening in our game now," said Ferguson. "That is a tactic. Someone fouls him, then someone else has another foul.
"The referee thinks he is diving all the time and the crowd are screaming. So that is the problem.
"The referee was very fair and strict with both teams. He (Capdevila) may not have got that red card in England so there is a different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."
Red card risk
He added: "When you see the tackle again, it was very high. When you go as high as that you risk a red card.
"There were three tackles on Cristiano and I think the referee has quite rightly booked the players and then dished out a red card."
Ferguson also revealed that Wayne Rooney had apologised for going to ground too easily believing he had won a penalty in the second half.
Ferguson said: "I think Wayne anticipated the challenge as he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that.
"I have seen it and he has apologised to me. I think he has been watching (Robert) Pires too much.
"At least Wayne apologised to the Villarreal players. You would never see Pires do that."
Amazing
The result was the fourth time the two sides have played out a 0-0 draw, but it was enough to send both teams through to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Ferguson continued: "It is amazing in these four games we have not had a goal. I bet the public are hoping we do not meet in Rome.
"I do not know how that is because we are an attacking side and Villarreal have a great record themselves.
"It is unusual for four games to end up 0-0. I thought we carried a bigger threat than them tonight. We had better opportunities in the match.
"But we are satisfied we are into the next stage. That's want we wanted to achieve. We have an advantage over Villarreal now.
"We have a home game against Aalborg and they have to go to Celtic so hopefully we can win the group."
