The best team lost, concedes Mourinho
Cristiano Ronaldo came back to haunt his former employers by scoring the winner after Luka Modric had cancelled out Sergio Ramos’ own goal.
However the main talking point was the controversial dismissal of Nani for a second-half foul on Alvaro Arbeloa when United were 1-0 up.
Mourinho said: “Independent of the decision the best team lost; we didn’t play well, we didn’t deserve to win. But football is like this. I’m not speaking about the decision because I am not sure about it. Independent of that the best team lost.”
Ferguson refused to speak to the media — either broadcast or written press — afterwards, sending his assistant Mike Phelan instead.
Phelan said he had just left behind “a distraught dressing room” and a “distraught manager”.
He added: “The manager is not in a state to talk to the referee about the decision. I think it speaks volumes I am here speaking now and not the manager of this fantastic football club. The decision seemed very harsh, possibly incredible at that moment in the game.
“We felt we had the tactics right, we were comfortable at 0-0 in the first half. We came out and scored a goal which put us in a commanding position. After that we were in reasonable control and created a couple of chances, but then the game totally changed.
“The decision as amazing but we had to carry on. Playing Madrid with 10 men is very difficult and we feel disappointed we needed to play with 10 men.”
Surprisingly, however, Manchester United legend Roy Keane — watching the tie as a pundit for ITV, offered his support to the referee.
He said: “In my career I would think ‘did I give the referee a chance to send me off?’. If I did, then it is out of my hands. I think that is the right decision. It is irrelevant if Nani meant to do it. He should be aware of the players around him. Does he think that he will have 20 yards to himself?”
Retired referee Dermot Gallagher criticised the sending-off, saying: “The decision was harsh to say the least but in fairness the Real player did Nani no favours whatsoever. At worst Nani catches the underside of his arm, certainly not the ribs as the guy has gone down and shown.
“I can’t reiterate enough that Nani is watching the ball over his shoulder, there was no malice in him. At worst it was a yellow for dangerous play, but if I was refereeing that game I cannot see what stretch of the imagination where I would have sent him off for that.”
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