Fergie: Stupid Sending Off

Sir Alex Ferguson has stood by Cristiano Ronaldo as our Portuguese star became embroiled in the bizarrest sending off of the season.

Ona yellow card from a tackle on Shaun Wirhgt-Phillips, Ronaldo leapt up to head the ball from a corner, but then choose to punch the ball back towards the corner spot rather than head it - claiming he heard the Ref's whistle.

Fergie backs up ROnny - "He tried to stop the ball from hitting his face," said Ferguson.

"He thought he had heard a whistle, he got a little push as well and it is not as if he punched the ball. The crowd played a part and he got sent off."

However, City boss Mark Hughes agreed with referee Howard Webb's decision, and added: "I don't think the referee had any choice. I thought he was going to catch it at one point.

"It was a clear handball. It was a soft sending off but clearly a second bookable offence.

"I don't know what reason he will give for doing it but if he says the ball was going to hit him in the face why didn't he head it?"