Trevor Sinclair claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo made a ‘coward’s challenge’ during Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The Portuguese forward was on the periphery of the game at Old Trafford as United slumped to yet another home defeat on Saturday afternoon.
City were in front inside 10 minutes courtesy of an Eric Bailly own goal, and Bernando Silva extended their lead in first half stoppage time.
Ronaldo’s frustration at his lack of influence on the game seemed to boil over late on in the contest, when he launched a late tackle on City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and was yellow carded.
"That’s a cheap one,’ former City star Sinclair told talkSPORT.
"The challenge initially went in from Fernandes, and as he’s down on the floor after being fouled, Ronaldo launches into that.
"I know it’s only one foot, but he’s jumped in with his studs showing. I thought it was a little bit naughty.
"It’s a little bit of frustration, but it’s not OK. I hope De Bruyne is OK because it’s a really poor challenge.
"It’s a coward’s challenge. He’s got away with a couple, the one with [Liverpool’s] Curtis Jones as well. He’s got a temper because he’s a winner. He doesn’t like losing."
United showed great spirit and determination to bounce back from their 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, with an impressive 3-0 win at Tottenham last Saturday.
However, they appear to be back where they started after yet another damaging home defeat. The loss leaves United fifth in the table, six points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s side and three behind fourth placed West Ham who have a game in hand.
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