Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed Swansea City defender Ashley Williams for a defensive clearance deemed deliberate into Robin van Persie’s head while he was laying on the ground in Sunday’s 1-1 draw.
The former Arsenal man had just tumbled to the ground along with Swansea’s Nathan Dyer after a tackle, when Williams booted the ball square into the back of van Persie’s head, prompting him to retaliate.
Both players were booked for the incident but Ferguson wants the English Football Association (FA) to look further into it, claiming his player is lucky to be alive.
“Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive,” said Ferguson. “It was a disgraceful act from their player today and he should be banned by the FA. Robin could have had a broken neck.
“It was one of the most dangerous things I’ve seen on a football pitch in many, many years. It was absolutely deliberate, and right in front of the referee.”
Williams defended himself over the incident, stating it wasn’t intentional in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I just cleared the ball with frustration and unfortunately it hit him in the head and he got a bit angry about it,” he said.