Sir Alex Responds To Coyle's Claims

Football - Manchester United Training
Man United defender Nemanja Vidic was accused by Bolton manager Owen Coyle of deliberately elbowing Johan Elmander during United’s 4-0 win over Bolton at the weekend.

The FA have said that they are not looking into the alleged elbow by Vidic and Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended the Serbian today.

After the game, Coyle had said: "Anyone who has seen it knows it was a terrible challenge.

"I am not looking for excuses but Vidic has caught him with an elbow and there was blood pouring out of it. I can only assume the referee has not seen it."

Speaking at a press conference today ahead of the Bayern Munich match tomorrow, Sir Alex Ferguson said:

“Vidic came in at half-time with a lump on his head the size of an egg, a swollen jaw and a black eye.”

"What's that story about living in glass houses?

“I would be totally amazed if Vidic is charged… it was a clear eye-on-the-ball header from a centre-back. There was no intent whatsoever and no eye towards the opponent. I don’t even know if he knew who was beside him or where he was.

"His sole intention was to attack that ball and head it clear, and he did that.”

It had already been believed that Vidic wouldn’t face any punishment because referee Martin Atkinson had seen the incident and hadn’t believed it to be malicious.

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