Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that Nani's red card during the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Manchester United changed the game in his side's favour.
United were knocked out of Europe after losing 2-1 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, and 3-2 on aggregate in a match that saw the Portugal international controversially sent off with the hosts leading 1-0 at the time.
The 26-year-old was dismissed for a high challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa, and Mourinho does not feel that his side would have been able to claim the victory if Nani had stayed on the pitch.
"Manchester United were playing very well. They were very compact, they were very aggressive, very well organised technically and the match was very difficult for us," Mourinho told Sky Sports News.
"I doubt with 11 against 11 we could win the match."
Sergio Ramos's own goal put the Premier League leaders ahead on the night, before strikes from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Spanish outfit the win.
Matt Cotton
