Ronaldo had to go - Hughes

1st December 2008

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes felt Cristiano Ronaldo had left referee Howard Webb with little alternative other than to send him off in Manchester United`s 1-0 win at Eastlands.

The Portugal winger had already been cautioned when he leapt for Wayne Rooney's corner midway through the second half, then stuck his hands in the air to parry the ball instead.

It seemed a needless move and Webb duly dismissed the 23-year-old.

"I don't think the referee had any choice," said Hughes.

"I don't know what reason he will give for doing it but if he says the ball was going to hit him in the face why didn't he head it?

"It is a soft sending-off but it was a second bookable offence and he had to go."