Ronaldo An Injury Doubt For Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted towards the end of his team's goal-less draw at Aston Villa today having suffered a leg injury, and it is lokking likely that he will miss Tuesday's visit to Villareal on Tuesday night.

"His leg is in a mess. He is doubtful for Tuesday," said United boss after the game.

With Dimitar Berabtov also looking likely to miss the Champions League tie in Spain, after being injured in Bulgaria's 6-1 demolition by Serbia, Ferguson may find his forward options somewhat curtailed against Villarreal.

He remained positive about his team's performance at Villa Park today though, despite the disappointing result.

"I thought we were the better team apart from a 15-minute spell at half-time when Villa got the ball into our box from free-kicks and corners and caused a lot of problems," said Ferguson.

"Apart from that, we weren't in danger. I was pleased with the effort we put in against an aggressive and determined team who defended for their lives.

"Our possession was good and we created the chances. Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park had good chances.

"With the amount of possession we had at the end I thought another chance must come along, but they held on."

And the Scotsman disagreed with Martin O'Neill's assessment of the situation regarding United defender Nemanja Vidic's tugging down of Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor, feeling that the Serbian defender got the ball. O'Neill felt the player should have been sent off, even of the offence didn't warrant a penalty. Ferguson didn't think so.

"Vidic has got the ball. The crowd can sometimes get you a penalty, but the referee couldn't give that one. He gave plenty to them as it was," Ferguson concluded.

Ronaldo was also seen to gesture to sections of the Villa support near the tunnel as he came off. No comment has yet been made about this by either club.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com