Alex Ferguson ahead of the FA Cup tie with Fulham
- 00:05:49
- ITN
Alex Ferguson ahead of the FA Cup tie with Fulham
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said Cristiano Ronaldo will not be stopped from entertaining the fans by rough challenges. Ferguson thought Newcastle's Steven Taylor would be brought to account by the Football Association for charging straight through the back of Ronaldo during Wednesday's Premier League encounter. Instead, referee Steve Bennett only deemed it a yellow card offence, clearing Taylor to play in Newcastle's relegation fight. The United boss is a little bemused by the disciplinary system, but is happy Taylor can play. "The disciplinary situation does confuse you at times," he said. "No-one is really clear about it. But in actual fact we did not want the boy suspended because now he can play against Chelsea and Arsenal." Ferguson also preferred not to get embroiled in an argument with Arsene Wenger, who claimed Ronaldo's arrogance could make him a target, "What Arsene said was it appears like arrogance," said Ferguson. "There is a difference and I can understand what he is saying. When a player expresses himself in such an entertaining way, defenders don't enjoy it." He added: "It was exactly the same when George Best was a player. It is not so much that they are prepared to do what they do, it is that they are encouraged to do it. "That is the great asset Ronaldo holds. He has this wonderful courage. He just wants to entertain and do something good with the ball."
ITN | March 6, 2009
