Sir Alex Ferguson seemingly by no means forgave Cuneyt Cakir for controversially sending off Nani in Manchester United’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid in 2013.
One final try to win the Champions League for Ferguson earlier than he introduced his retirement on the finish of the 2012/13 season led to anger after United winger Nani was proven a straight pink card for a excessive deal with on Alvaro Arbeloa within the second leg of the last-16 conflict at Old Trafford.
United had earned a 1-1 draw on the Santiago Bernabeu within the first-leg after Cristiano Ronaldo had cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s early first-half header. The return leg was going to plan for Ferguson when Sergio Ramos put by means of his personal web to provide United the lead in entrance of the Stretford End.
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But the sport quickly turned on its head when Cakir adjudged Nani’s problem on Alvaro Arbeloa to be worthy of a straight pink card. The Portuguese solely had eyes for the ball as he tried to convey down a free ball near the half-way line.
Arbeloa, charging from the opposite course, jumped to win the problem however took Nani’s studs into his chest in a heavy deal with and onerous touchdown for each gamers. After Nani acquired remedy on the pitch, Cakir produced the pink card to the disbelief and livid response of Ferguson and everybody involved with United that night time.
Do you suppose Nani ought to’ve been despatched off? Let us know within the feedback part.
(Image: PA)
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the VIBE with FIVE podcast, United’s former CEO David Gill revealed that Ferguson nonetheless held a grudge in opposition to the Turkish official months later. He stated: “One fast shaggy dog story to point out the keenness of Sir Alex Ferguson.
“You know after we misplaced to Real Madrid and Nani received despatched off in 2013? And I knew it was going to be Alex’s final season, [so] we didn’t ship him out to do the post-match press convention. We despatched Mike Phelan out – although UEFA slapped us with a wonderful. And it was that Turkish referee [who sent Nani off], you bear in mind?
(Image: Man Utd by way of Getty Images)
“So come the summer, August, it was the Champions League play-offs. I was in London and the phone rings, it was Alex. He says, ‘Are you watching the play-off?’ I think it was PSV vs. someone. I said, ‘No’. And he says, ‘Guess who’s refereeing.’ I said, ‘I can probably guess.’ And he said, ‘And he still can’t referee!’ His language was a bit more choice!”
Jose Mourinho’s aspect, who till that time weren’t on the races, quickly turned the scoreline spherical as a Luka Modric equaliser and a Ronaldo winner within the area of three minutes put Los Blancos by means of. Real have been crushed 4-3 on combination by Borussia Dortmund within the semi-final, who misplaced the ultimate 2-1 in opposition to Bayern Munich at Wembley.