Updated at 16.44
MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Alex Ferguson fumed that Swansea City defender Ashley Williams could have killed Robin van Persie during his side’s 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
The Wales centre-back struck the prone van Persie in the back of the head with the ball during the second half of the match, sparking a furious reaction from the Dutchman that culminated in bookings for both players.
Swansea top scorer Michu had earlier cancelled out Patrice Evra’s opener for United to prevent Ferguson’s men from restoring their six-point advantage over second-place Manchester City at the Premier League summit.
“Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive,” said Ferguson.
“It was a disgraceful act from their player today and he should be banned by the FA (Football Association). Robin could have had a broken neck.
“It was one of the most dangerous things I’ve seen on a football pitch in many, many years. It was absolutely deliberate, and right in front of the referee.”
Williams claimed it had been an accident, telling Sky Sports: “I just cleared the ball with frustration and unfortunately it hit him in the head and he got a bit angry about it.”
Swansea threatened first in the match, Michu firing off-target after out-pacing the returning Nemanja Vidic, before Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young tested fit-again Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm at the other end.United took the lead in the 16th minute, with Evra getting in front of his marker to dispatch van Persie’s corner and claim his third goal — all headers — of the season.
Michu headed over from Nathan Dyer’s cross, but it did not take long for the Spaniard to find the net.
In the 29th minute, Wayne Routledge’s cute pass freed Jonathan de Guzman and when his shot was parried by David de Gea, Michu followed up from close range to claim his 13th league goal of the campaign.
Vorm saved from Rooney again before half-time, while at the interval, Ferguson harangued referee Michael Olivier for failing to penalise Chico Flores for a challenge on van Persie prior to Swansea’s equaliser.
De Gea thwarted Kemy Agustien and Routledge early in the second period, before van Persie hooked a superb volley onto the top of the Swansea crossbar from a left-wing Rooney cross.Michael Carrick then hit the bar from a corner, while both van Persie and Ashley Young were thwarted by some last-ditch defensive blocks, but Williams’ clash with the former Arsenal striker was to prove the biggest talking point.
It was United’s first draw of the season in all competitions and leaves them four points above City ahead of the home game with Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Arsenal climbed to third place with a 1-0 victory at third-bottom Wigan Athletic on Saturday and they are one of four teams on 30 points along with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.
However, seventh-place Chelsea — back in England after their loss to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final — will move into the top three if they win at home to Aston Villa later on Sunday.
Additional reporting: AFP
View the video below and judge for yourself.
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Forget about Fabrice Muamba, this was a far closer brush with death. Hope you make a strong recovery and all our prayers and thoughts are with you Robin.
Fergie forgetting the cantona kick or Roy Keanes knee chop
exactly, well said.Fergeson should quit, the dementia is getting worse.
Was that it?…the horror! ,its a bit like last season when Carragher put a bit of manners on Nani and man u were crying like babies about him having to get his leg amputated.
But nani has how many more titles than carragher? That’s better manners.
Is this lad for real, he’s 1 bitter little man when results don’t go he’s way, a f%#$n hipocrit that’s all he is!!!!!
He’s a full blown Muppet.
Lucky to be alive after that ? I think Ferguson is losing his grip on reality. Glad to see Van Persie get up though and not roll around on the ground like a wounded snake like so many others would have.
from what i can make of that rvp should have got a straight red end of story
Ferguson whinger seen worse at an under age game
Another ref being manhandled
So Fergie has basically defamed Ashley Williams, Fergie really came out well on this one, prob be over looked though like his “typically German” comment, and defending Schmeichel when he racially abused Ian Wright. Won’t stop him pointing the finger at others though
He was trying to clear the ball and it hit RVPs Head
yeah tats what happened good one
Will u leave it out Robin,are u a man or a mouse.
Not the best replay to be going by. Referee got it spot on, yellow card for both.
Ferguson, on the other hand…
course he knows williams didn mean it. he said what he said to deflect the media attention away from his players and onto him. where the papers tomo would have been how rooney and rvp played bad, now hey are all going to be about him.
have to laugh when all the people go on a rant bout him. thats what he wants. there is 3 reports on the match on the website and two are bout his comments. looking after his players again. thats what makes him such a good manager.
Not a beep last weekend after the villa match and now the place is flooded. Bit of mid table success really brings boys out.
Seen worse in Sunday park matches