Fergie backs referee

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini denied his team set out to target Cristiano Ronaldo in their Champions League stalemate at home to Manchester United.

The Portugal winger was tightly marked, and Joan Capdevila was sent off with seven minutes remaining for a high challenge on him in last night’s 0–0 draw.

However, Pellegrini countered: “It was not a rough game, and you have to challenge Ronaldo.”

Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with the way Italian referee Roberto Rosetti handled a match in which both teams confirmed their place in the next stage.

The United manager claimed Ronaldo gets better protection in Europe than on the domestic scene.

Ferguson said: “The systematic fouling on him is what is happening in our game now. 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 different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches.”

Ferguson revealed Wayne Rooney had apologised to him for going to ground too easily, believing he had won a penalty.

The striker’s action incensed the crowd, but Rosetti refused to dish out a yellow card.

Ferguson said: “I think Wayne anticipated the challenge, because he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that.

“I have seen it, and he has apologised to me.”

Ferguson was at a loss to explain why United and Villarreal have played out four successive 0–0 draws.

Ronaldo almost made the breakthrough in the 41st minute, only for Diego Lopez to get a hand to his effort and push it on to the bar.

Ferguson said: “It is amazing in these four games we have not had a goal. I bet the public are hoping we do not meet in (the final in) Rome.

“I do not know how that is, because we are an attacking side – and Villarreal have a great record themselves.”

United finish their group games by hosting Aalborg next month, while Villarreal travel to Celtic.

Pellegrini conceded that the reigning champions – now 18 matches unbeaten in Europe – will finish top.

“They are not going to lose to Aalborg – that’s for certain,” he said.