Ferguson fumes at Carroll tackle

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Andy Carroll’s challenge on David de Gea was an ‘obvious’ red card.

The league leaders were twice trailing by a goal to 11th place West Ham on Wednesday, but Robin van Persie’s 77th-minute equaliser secured a point for the Red Devils.

The 2-2 draw takes United to 81 points, 13 clear of rivals Manchester City with five games remaining.

Though his team fought back into the game to secure the draw, Ferguson was clearly unhappy with Carroll’s challenge on De Gea at a corner as he steamed in and collided head-on with the Spaniard, and the referee’s failure to punish the striker.

“I think it’s obvious. I don’t think we need dwell on that, it’s an obvious red card but the referee has seen different,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“(West Ham) are very aggressive as we’ve seen tonight. You hope there’s a strong referee … I’m not so sure we got that tonight.”

However, the 71-year-old did draw some positives from the game, saying they played ‘like champions’, after battling back from a goal down twice on the night.

“We had to stand up to a lot there, but they kept going, our players,” he added.

“We were down twice, came back and played like champions I thought.

“Magnificent in terms of determination and courage to play, so I was pleased with the result.”