Manchester United's Fergie 'not in fit state' to face media after red card

Speak no evil: Manchester United's Fergie 'not in fit state' to face media after red card says Phelan

5 Mar 2013 23:05

Assistant manager is sent out to talk to the Press after controversial sending-off of Nani PLUS Mourinho sympathy, of Special sort

That's a debatable decision, referee! Fergie is furious after Nani gets sent off

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Furious Sir Alex Ferguson was too angry to talk as Manchester United’s Treble dream was crushed by a controversial red card.
Cristiano Ronaldo came back to haunt United with the winner that sent Jose Mourinho’s side through to the quarter-finals at the expense of his former club.
But it was the 57th-minute dismissal of Nani - shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Alvaro Arbeloa – that left Ferguson raging at Turkish ref Cuneyt Cakir.
Ferguson, whose gamble backfired in dropping Wayne Rooney to the bench, was too distraught to speak after the defeat and left assistant Mike Phelan to face the world’s media.
Phelan said: “I don’t think the manager is in any fit state to talk to the referee about the decision.

He's not Fergie: Assistant Manager Mike Phelan (at a Manchester United press conference last year)

Matthew Peters

 “I think it speaks volumes that I’m sitting here speaking to you and not the manager.
“We all witnessed a decision which seemed harsh, almost incredible, at that moment in the game.
“It’s a distraught dressing room and a distraught manager and that’s why I’m sitting here in front of you now.”
Madrid boss Mourinho said United did not deserve to lose the tie and claimed his side were lucky to progress to the last eight.
“The best team lost,” said Mourinho. “Irrespective of the red card decision, the best team lost.
“We didn’t play well and we didn’t deserve to win, but sometimes football is like this.
“United were playing very well. They were very compact, aggressive, very well organised technically and the match was very difficult for us.
“I doubt with 11 against 11 we could have won the match.
"Football at this level is such a fine balance," he said. "Playing with a man down for such a long period of time is going to change a lot.

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Man.United v Real Madrid

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"When we were against 10, we played very well for 10 minutes. We gave them a new problem they couldn't solve.
"But I know Old Trafford and what Sir Alex Ferguson could do.
"We couldn't control the game by possession. That frustrated me.
Mourinho also paid tribute to reserve keeper Diego Lopez, who made key late saves in place of first-choice Iker Casillas as United chased the game: "In that moment Diego Lopez gave us part of the victory.
"David de Gea was man of the match in Madrid. Today it was Diego Lopez."

Manager Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid celebrates as hie team take a 1-2 lead on the night at Old Trafford

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United took the lead when Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos turned the ball into his own net in the 48th minute.
But two goals in three minutes from substitute Luka Modric and Ronaldo left United needing to score twice to go through, which proved beyond them.
Ronaldo was given a standing ovation by the United crowd and he said: “The reception was unbelievable.
"It was an emotional moment for me, for both games, especially tonight.
“I do not have words to explain how I feel. The supporters made me feel shy as I did not play how I play all the time.
“Anyway I helped my team, and I feel a little happy inside, on the other hand I feel sad as Manchester United are out.
“To be honest I did not see what Nani did, but these situations happen in football.” --- Mirror Football

I think there is a lot of wisdom in his action; instead of going out 2 talk from a point of anger, its just better 2 stay silent.
I feel sorry 4 papa fergie but he shud pls be careful so he doesn't disturb his heart...