Fergie backs Rooney over Kompany

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Wayne Rooney in the row over his role in Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany's controversial red card.

City boss Roberto Mancini claimed United striker Rooney pressured referee into dismissing Kompany for a two-footed tackle on Nani but Ferguson says such appeals are now part of the game and that it was a reckless challenge.

Ferguson, speaking at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich, said: "I have no concerns about the behaviour in that respect because to my mind it was a reckless challenge and Nani is a very lucky boy because he didn't get a bad injury."

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