PORTSMOUTH,Aug 16 (AFP): Sir Alex Ferguson insisted Cristiano Ronaldo must learn not to react to provocation from inferior players after his senseless dismissal in the champions' 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.
Ronaldo was sent off for aiming a headbutt at Richard Hughes Wednesday and faces a three-match ban that will rule him out of United's derby clash with Manchester City Sunday, as well as home games against Tottenham and Sunderland.
The Portugal winger was dismissed in the 85th minute by referee Steve Bennett following a melee in the Portsmouth penalty area after Sulley Muntari was sent off for Portsmouth a minute earlier.
United boss Ferguson believes Ronaldo was provoked but claimed he must keep his head rather than trying to headbutt other players.
"He was provoked but you can't raise your arms at another player," Ferguson said. "He has got to realise he is better than these other players and not to rise to their bait. He has got to rise above it.''
"He got no protection from the referee but that is not to excuse his sending off,'' he said.
"Steve Bennett has sent him off before as has the linesman and we missed a great opportunity for us to win the game," he said.
Ronaldo was last sent off two years ago against local rivals City and will be a massive loss to a United team already without injured England striker Wayne Rooney.
Ferguson warns Ronaldo to keep his cool
FE Team | Published: August 17, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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