Ronaldo Blames City's Richards For Dismissal

Cristiano Ronaldo lasted just 68 minutes in the Manchester derby on Sunday. After being cautioned for a foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, the Portuguese winger inexplicably attempted to catch Wayne Rooney's corner. Referee Howard Webb had no choice but to brandish a red card.

It seemed a clear-cut sending off at the time, but Manchester United - who won 1-0 - have rolled out the excuses, the most prominent being that Ronaldo and his team-mates heard a whistle and stopped playing.

And now the 23-year-old has elaborated further, saying that he thought Micah Richards needed medical treatment after he yelled out in pain.

"Rooney took the corner. I jumped and that was when I heard a shout from Richards and simultaneously the sound of a whistle," Ronaldo told The Sun.

"I was convinced that the ref had blown for a foul. I stopped trying to head the ball and score a goal. I grabbed the ball so Richards could get help.

"It never entered my mind that the referee would show me another yellow card because, for me, I hadn’t done anything wrong.

"To the contrary, after Richards yelled I thought he was hurt and needed assistance."

Ronaldo may find some consolation in the fact that the England defender will miss City's midweek UEFA Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

--Kieran Quentin, Goal.com