Sir Alex Ferguson claims referee Steve Bennett has done
Manchester United a favour by clearing Newcastle defender Steven
Taylor.
The United boss reacted angrily on Wednesday night after Taylor
escaped punishment for catching Ronaldo with a flailing arm when
the two sides met at St James’ Park.
The defender has since avoided a possible ban after Bennett, who
missed the original challenge, reviewed the incident and deemed it
only worthy of a booking.
And with Newcastle facing both Chelsea and Arsenal in the coming
weeks, Ferguson admitted he was relieved Taylor has not been ruled
out of either game.
"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.
"In Newcastle's position, with the injuries they have at the
moment, it would have been devastating for them to lose that
player. I am not really upset about it at all."
The Taylor incident was the second talking point involving
Ronaldo this week after the United winger was harshly booked for
diving in the Carling Cup final.
Arsene Wenger, who has had his fair share of run-ins with the
United boss, waded into the debate claiming it was the player’s
arrogance that made him a target for the Premier League’s hatchet
men.
Ferguson, however, refused to be drawn into a slanging
match with the Gunners manager, preferring instead to put a
positive spin on his remarks.
"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.
"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."