'Distraught' Ferguson in 'no fit state' to speak as Nani is shown a red card, Ferdinand erupts in fury and Ronaldo sends his old team crashing out of Europe
By DECLAN WARRINGTON
Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was too 'distraught' to speak to the media in the aftermath of his side's 2-1 defeat at home to Real Madrid.
The United manager was incensed at the red card for Nani which ultimately proved crucial in their elimination from the Champions League and with his side perhaps the better team despite the result, was said not to be 'in any fit state' to discuss the outcome.
'I don't think the manager is in any fit state to talk to the referee about the decision,' said Phelan, who explained he had never felt a greater sense of injustice. 'It speaks volumes that he is not sat here speaking to you.
'Distraught': Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was not available for comment tonight
'We're extremely disappointed. We have a distraught dressing room and a distraught manager.
'We are all witnesses to a decision that seemed very harsh, and incredible at that moment in the game.
'To say we are disappointed is an understatement. We felt as though we had got things right tactically and were reasonably comfortable.
'That amazing decision changed things totally.
Sarcastic: Rio Ferdinand made his feelings clear to the referee, Cuneyt Cakir
'Referees are there to make decisions in big games.
'There is an element of doing the right thing at the right moment.
'All you guys and TV audience will have a decision. It is a disappointing one. It spoiled the game.'
Incandescent: Ferguson was furious about Nani's red card, which significantly changed the game
Controversial: Many observers felt Nani's red card swung the game in Real's favour
If Ferguson and Phelan felt they could justify their frustration – a sentiment largely encapsulated by Rio Ferdinand sarcastically applauding referee Cuneyt Cakir after the final whistle – Jose Mourinho was uncharacteristically in agreement with them, insisting United had deserved the victory given to Real by Cristiano Ronaldo's winning goal and that he had expected his side to produce more.
'Independent of the decision, the best team lost,' the Real manager told ITV. 'We didn't play well, we didn't deserve to win, but football is like this.
'I am not sure about the decision, but independent of that, the best team lost.
Wrong call? The decision to send Nani off seemed harsh on Manchester United
Unimpressed: Jose Mourinho was unconvinced by his Real Madrid side's performance
Honest: Keane had little sympathy for Nani, despite his status as a Manchester United hero
'I am happy that we are through but I expected more from my team,' he added to Spanish television channel TVE.
'When your goalkeeper is the best player on the pitch and you are playing against 10 men then that shows you are not controlling the match as you should.
'But you have to know how to suffer and how to win under those circumstances.'
Never one afraid to speak his mind or be in the minority, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane insisted it was the correct decision to send Nani off, even though he said he felt the winger 'unlucky'.
'I think the referee has actually made the right call,' Keane said. 'Everyone's upset about it and it's slightly unlucky, but it's dangerous play. Whether he meant it or not is irrelevant.
'It's dangerous play, it's a red card. You have to be aware of other players on the pitch. Does he think he's going to have 20 yards to himself?
'Whether it's [a brave decision] or not, it's the right decision. Whether he meant it or not doesn't matter.
'Nani's a quick boy to go down anyway. He's not the bravest player on the planet.
Dangerous play? Roy Keane felt the referee had no choice but to send Nani off
'It doesn't matter if he knows there's somebody there or not, it's irrelevant. I don't think the referee actually made the decision because he waited a couple of minutes while the player was getting treatment.
'I think it might have been the assistant that made the decision, and I actually think he's made the right call.
'We always say referees are very quick to make decisions, he waited a couple of minutes.
'Any time I was sent off in my career I always thought, "did I give the referee chance to send me off?", and if the answer is yes, then it's out of your hands.'
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