Dean falls foul of Fergie again after Rafa red
United returned to the Premier League summit after a goalless draw but had to play the last 16 minutes against Tottenham with 10 men after Rafael was given a second yellow card for tangling legs with Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
“It’s not worth discussing because everyone can see that,” Ferguson said. “It’s out of my bounds now. Thank God.”
Ferguson’s history with Dean includes being handed a two-match touchline ban after confronting the referee at the end of the victory against Hull in 2008.
He was also infuriated by Dean last season after Chelsea’s victory at Old Trafford included a disputed goal by Didier Drogba, admitting, “When I saw Mike Dean I did worry’’.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp described the sending off as harsh, adding: “It was like Mary Decker and Zola Budd.
“He was just running and clipped his heels trying to get out of the way. He hasn’t tripped him. What can you do about that? His foot has caught the boy’s leg and that’s it.”
Rafael could also be in hot water with the Football Association if Dean reports the Brazilian full-back’s language as he left the pitch, or his kick at a television microphone before heading down the tunnel.
Spurs were unable to take advantage of Rafael’s departure to inflict a first defeat of the season for United, but Redknapp believes it would be a “miracle” for them to go through the season unbeaten.
He added: “I personally can’t see it. I think it would be a miracle if Alex got them through the season unbeaten.
“I am not knocking them. They are top of the league and above where we are and want to be. But you can’t be as good a team as you were a year or two ago when you haven’t got (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Carlos) Tevez.”
Redknapp also insisted his own team were still in the title race despite being eight points behind United, who also have two games in hand on second-placed Manchester City.
Ferguson agreed with Redknapp, adding: “I think there are five teams all contesting it.
“We have to win the two games in hand. We have to go to Chelsea and that will be a massive game and we have to go to Blackpool who are in great form at the moment.”
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