Ferguson reveals Ronaldo fears

Ronaldo starts a three-match ban on Sunday following his red card at Portsmouth on Wednesday when he aimed a head-butt at Richard Hughes and while the Manchester United boss does not condone the winger's actions, he feels Ronaldo was the victim of intimidation and an apparent unwillingness by officials to clamp down on dangerous tackles.

"There is every chance Cristiano could get a serious injury," he said. "I don't know if there is a directive but I have noticed over the last few months, referees seem to be more tolerant of physical contact. A lot of late challenges have gone unpunished and on Wednesday that happened time and time again."

He added: "I don't know whether referees have been instructed to manage these situations but to me, it is black and white. That does not mean players should get away with doing stupid things on the pitch but there is a concern players like Ronaldo are going to be the victims.

"Cristiano fell for a 100-year-old trick on Wednesday but it is very difficult to completely punish him or to be angry with him because some of the things that happen to him are not right."

Ferguson was particularly incensed that respected Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray claimed Reading's Dave Kitson should not have been sent off for his studs-first challenge on Patrice Evra at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Kitson had only been on the field for 37 seconds before he launched himself at Evra, drawing a stinging rebuke in the tunnel from Ruud Gullit, who felt the striker was way out of line.

However, much to Ferguson's frustration, Gray adopted a more concilliatory stance.

"It disappoints me to hear Andy Gray saying the Kitson should not have been sent off," said the United boss.

"In the 1970s he was bashing into the centre-halfs and full-backs all over the place. He forgets this is 2007. If Patrice Evra's foot had been on the ground it would have been a very serious challenge. I know Kitson is not that kind of player but it could have killed the boy's career."