Fergie hails red-card referee
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes referees in England should take a leaf out of Roberto Rosetti's book.
Ferguson was pleased with the way the Italian official dealt with some stiff challenges on Cristiano Ronaldo and other issues during United's 0-0 Champions League draw with Villarreal.
Rosetti did not hesitate to hand out a red card to Joan Capdevila for a high challenge on Ronaldo seven minutes from time.
And Ferguson claimed Ronaldo gets better protection in Europe than on the domestic scene.
He said: "The systematic fouling on him is what is happening in our game now. That is a tactic. Someone fouls him, then someone else has another foul.
"The referee thinks he is diving all the time and the crowd are screaming. So that is the problem.
"The referee was very fair and strict with both teams. He (Capdevila) may not have got that red card in England so there is a different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."
Ronaldo was left with stud marks above his knee following the challenge and Ferguson added: "When you see the tackle again, it was very high. When you go as high as that you risk a red card.
"There were three tackles on Cristiano and I think the referee has quite rightly booked the players and then dished out a red card."
Ferguson also revealed that Wayne Rooney had apologised for going to ground too easily believing he had won a penalty.
The striker's action incensed the crowd but he escaped without a booking.
Ferguson said: "I think Wayne anticipated the challenge as he was expecting a penalty kick. It is unusual for him to do that.
"I have seen it and he has apologised to me. I think he has been watching (Robert) Pires too much.
"At least Wayne apologised to the Villarreal players. You would never see Pires do that."
Ferguson was at a loss to explain why United and Villarreal have played out four successive 0-0 draws, but at least both sides have the consolation of going through to the next stage of the competition.
"It is amazing in these four games we have not had a goal. I bet the public are hoping we do not meet in Rome," Ferguson added.
"I do not know how that is because we are an attacking side and Villarreal have a great record themselves.
"It is unusual for four games to end up 0-0. I thought we carried a bigger threat than them tonight. We had better opportunities in the match.
"But we are satisfied we are into the next stage. That's want we wanted to achieve. We have an advantage over Villarreal now.
"We have a home game against Aalborg and they have to go to Celtic so hopefully we can win the group."
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini conceded United will finish the group as leaders.
He said: "They are not going to lose to Aalborg - that's for certain."
Pellegrini was cautious about his side's treatment of Ronaldo.
"It was not a rough game, and you have to challenge him," he said.
"Our objective is complete, and that is to qualify. However, we did notice the absence of some of our offensive players."
