Nani rebuked by Ferguson after red card

11 February 2010 08:28

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Nani has only himself to blame for missing the Carling Cup final.

Nani blotted his recent fine form during Wednesday night's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, earning an automatic three-match ban that includes the Wembley showpiece with Villa on February 28 by leaping into a tackle with Stiliyan Petrov after just half an hour.

"It was a sending off. It was a red card. It was a naive tackle," said the United boss of his side's sixth dismissal of the season.

"He is not a malicious player but he has gone in with his foot raised off the ground and we cannot complain about it.

"We should have had a foul seconds before when (Gabriel) Agbonlahor came in with his foot up on Wes Brown's ribs.

"That was disappointing but we have no argument at all with the red card."

After Carlos Cuellar had opened the scoring with a long distance header, United drew level in what is becoming a familiar manner when Ryan Giggs' cross-shot was turned into his own net by James Collins.

It was the Old Trafford side's 10th own goal this season, an amazing figure, that trails only Wayne Rooney in the club scoring stakes.

Of far more relevance was the arm injury Giggs subsequently suffered in a collision with Steve Sidwell that leaves Ferguson sweating on the veteran Welshman ahead of Tuesday's Champions League trip to AC Milan.

"We have sent Ryan for an X-ray to see if there is any damage," said Ferguson. "It is very painful but hopefully he is going to be all right."

Source: PA