Ferguson points finger at CR

Ronaldo was sent off at Portsmouth

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has condemned Cristiano Ronaldo for reacting to provocation. The Portugal winger, 22, was sent off for appearing to headbutt Richard Hughes in United's draw at Portsmouth.

Ferguson said: "Cristiano is responsible for falling into the trap of intimidation, which has happened to him a few times.

"I've seen the replay and there's nothing conclusive, my take is that he was provoked and he has fallen for it."

Ronaldo will miss three games, the standard ban for violent conduct, including Saturday's derby game with Manchester City.

It was his third red card since joining Manchester United, shown by referee Steve Bennett, who also came in for criticism from Ferguson.

The United boss said: "Steve Bennett sent him off at Manchester City and he will have loved the opportunity to send him off again.

"Carlos Tevez didn't get any protection either, I don't know how many times he got fouled from behind. He had to suffer a lot."

Portsmouth also had midfielder Sulley Muntari sent off after being shown two yellow cards.

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Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for violent conduct as Manchester United slipped four points off the pace of the fledgling Barclays Premier League table with a fiery 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.

Ronaldo was given a straight red as Manchester United were held to a draw at Portsmouth.
After being held to a surprise goalless stalemate by 10-man Reading in their opening clash, the champions looked set for a three-point haul thanks to a typical Paul Scholes goal 15 minutes in.

The former England midfielder connected first time with debutant Carlos Tevez's lay-off from the edge of the box, giving David James no chance. Portsmouth levelled in the 53rd minute when Benjani Mwaruwari timed his run from deep to perfection to power a header home from Matthew Taylor's left-wing cross.

Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari was shown red after 83 minutes after picking up a second yellow card and two minutes later Ronaldo was also given his marching orders by referee Steve Bennett after an incident involving Richard Hughes.

"He was provoked. He fell into the trap and he paid the penalty," said United manager Alex Ferguson who thought his side put up a good performance.

Ronaldo will now miss this weekend's Manchester derby plus two more games.

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