Nani sees red as United miss chance

ALEX FERGUSON has defended Nani rigorously this season but even his patience will have been tested by the Portugal international’s dismissal at Villa Park that ultimately cost Manchester United the chance of toppling league leaders Chelsea last night.

Nani produced his finest United display at Arsenal two games ago but will have infuriated Ferguson for the crude lunge on Stiliyan Petrov in the first half that was always going to leave the visitors facing an uphill battle.

Carlos Cuellar had headed Villa in front with the club’s first home league goal of 2010 before James Collins’ unfortunate own goal hauled United level. But then Nani was dismissed for his moment of madness on Petrov – and he will now miss the Carling Cup Final against last night’s opponents.

Martin O’Neill’s bid to record a double over Ferguson never looked likely, despite the opening goal, and even with a deficit of personnel it was United who appeared the more dangerous.

United’s last defeat at Villa came on the opening day of the 95/96 season. And you would have to go even further back to the 54/55 campaign when Villa last secured a double over United. However, United arrived on a revenge mission after they were stunned at the Theatre of Dreams in December, with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both returning.

Nani had shown how he is repairing his reputation early on by forcing the first save, with a 25-yard free kick that was pushed out by Brad Friedel.

But Carlos Cuellar had already served a warning to the title chasers when he narrowly headed Stewart Downing’s free kick over the bar.

And in the 20th minute he stunned Edwin Van der Sar with a clever looping header as United’s defence failed to properly clear a Downing cross.

It was a short-lived lead, however. Nani’s deep cross was volleyed across goal by Giggs and James Collins just couldn’t get out of the way – the tenth own goal United have been gifted this season.

United had their tails up briefly but Nani ruined his reinvention with a needless lunge on Stiliyan Petrov a minute before the half hour and referee Peter Walton had no option but to flash a straight red card.

United still had the best chance of moving in front before the break though, with Friedel tipping over Michael Carrick’s fierce drive.

Ferguson was desperate for the win even with ten men and replaced Scholes with Antonio Valencia at half-time. And the Ecuador winger blasted inches over from close range as United dominated despite their deficit.

The visitors continued to press and Wayne Rooney almost won it with an audacious chip from outside the area.

Afterwards, United were hit with a further blow when it emerged that Ryan Giggs was sent for an x-ray on an arm injury sustained when he was challenged by Steve Sidwell. He was replaced by Dimitar Berbatov.

But ultimately it was a creditable point for United playing with ten men, though you would never have known it. A missed opportunity for the Ulsterman at Villa Park, however. His own bid to splinter the established order failed to gather any traction with this result.

O’Neill claims that Ferguson’s assessment of Villa as dark horses for the title is purely because they are not a threat. But as a Carling Cup Final curtain-raiser, this certainly whetted the appetite.

Subs for Aston Villa: Carew (6) for Delph, 59; Sidwell (5) for Petrov, 64.

Subs for Man Utd: Valencia (6) for Scholes, ht; Berbatov for Giggs, 74.

Referee: Peter Walton.