Sir Alex Ferguson says Gareth Southgate is 'naive' after he criticised Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sir Alex Ferguson has called Gareth Southgate 'naive' after the Middlesbrough manager accused Cristiano Ronaldo of diving.
Southgate was incensed at the penalty awarded against his team during Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
He was upset with the conduct of Ronaldo, but Ferguson has backed his winger, insisting he would not condone diving from his players.
"Gareth's a bit naive. But he's a young manager, you have to give him a chance to settle in," said Ferguson.
"We don't condone diving here. I've said that time and again. Ronaldo's aware of that.
"The first thing that happened on Saturday was he was hacked from behind and the referee didn't book the player. It only encourages players to keep kicking him time and time again."
Ferguson believes the ensuing media criticism is a response to Ronaldo's supposed involvement in Wayne Rooney's red card during England's World Cup exit to Portugal in the summer.
He added: "You have to ask, what is more serious? Preventing the best players to play or to go on for three days about a dive that wasn't a dive.
"I hope I am wrong, but I have a feeling it is a revenge from the English press. They have been waiting months to do this."
And the United chief remains convinced it was a penalty, saying: "I have looked at it a million times and Cristiano lost his balance completely.
"Don't forget last year at Manchester City he got sent off for intent even though there had just been two disgraceful tackles on him, while Steven Gerrard got a penalty at Sheffield United at the start of the season, again for intent.
"The interpretation is down to the referee, but, to me, it was a clear penalty."
