Neville: I won't beat myself up over mistake

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has admitted he “made a mistake” when he headbutted Steve McManaman in a bad-tempered FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Neville, who had a penalty appeal turned down and then clashed with the City midfielder in the melee that followed, was sent off by referee Jeff Winter.

“I made a mistake but I am not going to beat myself up about it,” he said in his column in The Times.

“I am annoyed with myself because I will be suspended for some important matches but that is the only reason to regret what happened with Steve McManaman. It was out of character and I am confident it was a one-off.

“Firstly I was 100% convinced at the time that I deserved a penalty. Now I have seen the replays I can understand why the referee did not give it but the defender caught my shins and missed the ball completely.

“When I got up three City players were rushing towards me. I pushed them out of the way but McManaman brushed his head against mine.

“When he came towards me again I pushed my head forward in anticipation of him doing the same. I have no problems with the referee’s decision because it looks like a headbutt.”