Fergie relieved at Taylor decision
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Sir Alex Ferguson claims referee Steve Bennett has done Manchester United a favour by clearing Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.
The United boss reacted angrily on Wednesday night after Taylor escaped punishment for catching Ronaldo with a flailing arm when the two sides met at St James’ Park.
The defender has since avoided a possible ban after Bennett, who missed the original challenge, reviewed the incident and deemed it only worthy of a booking.
And with Newcastle facing both Chelsea and Arsenal in the coming weeks, Ferguson admitted he was relieved Taylor has not been ruled out of either game.
"The disciplinary situation does confuse you at times," he said.
"No-one is really clear about it. But in actual fact we did not want the boy suspended because now he can play against Chelsea and Arsenal.
"In Newcastle's position, with the injuries they have at the moment, it would have been devastating for them to lose that player. I am not really upset about it at all."
The Taylor incident was the second talking point involving Ronaldo this week after the United winger was harshly booked for diving in the Carling Cup final.
Arsene Wenger, who has had his fair share of run-ins with the United boss, waded into the debate claiming it was the player’s arrogance that made him a target for the Premier League’s hatchet men.
Ferguson, however, refused to be drawn into a slanging match with the Gunners manager, preferring instead to put a positive spin on his remarks.
"What Arsene said was it appears like arrogance," said Ferguson.
"There is a difference and I can understand what he is saying.
"When a player expresses himself in such an entertaining way, defenders don't enjoy it.
"It was exactly the same when George Best was a player.
"It is not so much that they are prepared to do what they do, it is that they are encouraged to do it.
"That is the great asset Ronaldo holds. He has this wonderful courage. He just wants to entertain and do something good with the ball."