Ferguson Calls for 'weak' Officials to Look After Ronaldo

Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed strong concerns that Cristiano Ronaldo could be "seriously injured" unless referees in the Premier League start to give him greater protection. The Manchester United manager is unhappy with what he described as "weak" officials and wants strict action if, as he suspects, Manchester City take an overly physical approach in tomorrow's derby.

Ferguson's comments demonstrate his displeasure about Steve Bennett's handling of Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Portsmouth, when Ronaldo was sent off for headbutting Richard Hughes and, according to the United manager, the home players repeatedly got away with making dangerous challenges.

Ronaldo has been fined but Ferguson expressed sympathy with him yesterday. "It is very difficult to be angry with Cristiano because some of the things that are happening in the game right now are not right," said Ferguson. "My fear is the direction that referees have taken and the way they suddenly seem more tolerant of physical contact.

"I've noted that tackles from behind are going unpunished and it is players like Ronaldo who are going to be the victims. We are going to get someone with a serious injury. There is every chance it could be Ronaldo."

Ferguson has complained about the opposition's tactics after each of United's past two visits to the City of Manchester Stadium and, even with Ronaldo suspended, he fears his players will be targeted for more rough treatment tomorrow. "I think it will be exactly the same as last year," he said.

Those remarks have gone down badly at City, where the suspicion is that Ferguson is simply trying to deflect criticism from England's footballer of the year and apply pressure to tomorrow's referee, Mark Clattenburg.

"I'm not going to tell our players that we have to kick our opponents," said Eriksson. "Those will not be our tactics, I can promise you, and I don't think we have a team who will concentrate on that. We will concentrate on our strengths and that is playing football."