Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany deserved his red card in the two sides' FA Cup third round tie.
The defender was sent off in the opening stages of United's 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium for a contentious two-footed lunge on Nani.
"It was a two-footed tackle," Ferguson told ITV Sport. "I think it was a red card, absolutely - I've seen him do it before.
"Maybe he's got off with it in the past, but we're lucky because if he makes contact with Nani, he's got a problem.
"It would have been a real bad one. I think the referee was right in that instance."
City have since confirmed that they will appeal Kompany's dismissal.
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
