Ronaldo sees red as United held
Ronaldo could face a three-match ban following the incident
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Wednesday, 15, Aug 2007 11:38
Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for dangerous conduct in the closing minutes of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.
The midfielder appeared to clash heads with Richard Hughes as a corner was about to be delivered.
His dismissal overshadowed a spirited second half performance from the home side who bounced back from a 1-0 deficit at the half.
Carlos Tevez made his debut for United, replacing the injured Wayne Rooney.
United dominated the first half and made their territorial advantage count when Paul Scholes scored after 15 minutes, when Tevez applied a deft touch for the assist.
Fellow new boy Nani broke clear on the left-hand side and played the ball into the Argentinean, he flicked the ball into the path of the on-rushing Scholes who smashed it into the top corner of David James' goal.
The Red Devils continued to pressure the Pompey goal but could not find the back of the net.
After the break Tevez came close but sent his volleyed effort over the bar from the centre of the 18-yard box.
Pompey upped the tempo and grabbed an equaliser through Benjani Mwaruwari after a determined run by Matt Taylor down the left wing. Benjani met Taylor's cross and headed past Edwin van der Sar.
Both sides had opportunities to win but failed to take advantage. Benjani was again in the centre of the action, hitting a stinging shot that Van der Sar did well to save. The ball then fell to David Nugent but Patrice Evra got back with a last-ditch saving tackle.
Cenre-back Nemanja Vidic then missed a header from point-blank, while James saved well from Ryan Giggs and Ronaldo.
Sulley Muntari was sent off with seven minutes remaining for his second bookable offence, following a late challenge on Michael Carrick, before Ronaldo also saw red just before full-time.