Manchester United have seen some contentious referee decisions over the years but one of the most notable is when Nani saw red against Real Madrid.
The 2012/13 season for Manchester United ended in Premier League triumph for the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, but it might have been even better.
Manchester United were unsuccessful in the other three competitions that season, with a 5-4 loss to Chelsea in the round of 16 and also losing to the Blues in the FA Cup sixth round.
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On this night, Sir Alex was left fuming after Nani’s red card which should never have happened and now Mark Clattenburg has told United in Focus whether it was a red card at all.
Nani sent off against Real Madrid.
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg on Nani red card vs Real Madrid
The red card shown to Nani by Cuneyt Cakir changed the dynamics of the tie as Madrid gained control and United ended up with defeat.
United had drawn 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu and led 1-0 at Old Trafford up until the red card, with Luka Modric and a Cristiano Ronaldo dagger in the space of three minutes ending Sir Alex’s dreams.
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Speaking exclusively with United in Focus, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has revealed it was the wrong call.
“The Nani red card playing for Manchester United against Real Madrid would have come as a surprise to many people as most expected a yellow card”, Clattenburg explained.
Continuing, Clattenburg adds the explanation for the sending off.
“I remember during this time and at meetings we held as referees with UEFA, they expected a red card for these challenges where the foot was high with studs and an element of speed which could have endangered the safety of the opponent.
“The Marcus Rashford red card v Copenhagen is more straight forward as he moves his foot away from the ball to his opponents leg and plants his studs which could easily endanger the safety of his opponent. This type of tackle now would result in a red card!”
Manchester United could have been en-route to another famous double
This sending off changed what might have been a very successful Champions League campaign for Manchester United.
Real Madrid went on to reach the semi-final, beating Galatasaray in the quarter-finals before losing to Borussia Dortmund.
Had United got through, Robin van Persie might have been the deciding factor in helping Sir Alex win another double in his final season.
United could have beaten Dortmund and against Bayern Munich who were led by Jupp Heynckes at the time.
This is the reason Nani’s sending off hurts so much, because of what it might have prevented.