Ruud van Nistelrooy says he is innocent of charges he tried deliberately to hurt Arsenal fullback Ashley Cole during Manchester United’s controversial 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Netherlands international has been charged with serious foul play by the Football Association (FA) for kicking the England defender on the knee, and could face a three-match ban.
However, Van Nistelrooy told The Sun: ”We both just went for the ball. It was a 50-50 ball and in these situations two players can collide.”
Under the FA’s new fast-track disciplinary system, his case will be dealt with on Thursday.
Van Nistelrooy’s challenge, missed by referee Mike Riley, was branded ”a disgrace” by BBC television pundit and former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen, who claimed the forward’s actions were ”nasty and cynical”.
They also brought a ”cheat” jibe from Arsene Wenger, who is thought to have played some part in a tunnel fracas that erupted after the game that ended Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run.
”We know how Ruud van Nistelrooy behaves,” said Wenger. ”He can only cheat people — we know him very well.”
Wenger has been asked by the FA to explain those comments while Van Nistelrooy has to answer the charge for serious foul play by Tuesday.
Van Nistelrooy has, however, admitted to having doubts over his penalty that put United ahead.
Wayne Rooney went down after colliding with Sol Campbell but television replays later suggested there had been minimal contact.
”At first sight I thought it was a penalty,” said Van Nistelrooy. ”I can understand why the referee gave it because of the angle he was looking from. But afterwards, when I saw it on television, I had doubts.”
Arsenal striker Jose Reyes has also hit out at Manchester United’s tough tackling.
”In all my sporting life, I have never received so many kicks as in Manchester,” said Reyes.
”It was the hardest match I have played in England and the referee should have stopped the violence of the Manchester United players.
”I received more blows in that match than I have ever done in the Spanish League and I finished on the ground, covered in bruises.”
Reyes also took a swipe at Rooney, accusing the England striker of diving to secure the penalty that helped Van Nistelrooy put United ahead.
”The referee made so many mistakes and didn’t perform well,” added Reyes. ”The penalty should not have been given — but now we all know what a good actor Wayne Rooney is in the penalty area.”
However, Reyes insists the Gunners will not sulk for too long and has vowed to gain revenge over United — both in the return fixture at Highbury and in the race for the title.
”I already have a big desire to play the return match in London. We want to give back the defeat to them and by more goals,” he said.
”Everybody is still OK. The record was nice, but losing it won’t prove decisive for the championship.” — Sapa-AFP