Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was too "distraught" to face the media after their Champions League exit against Real Madrid at Old Trafford.
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Ferguson was visibly enraged after Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir sent off Nani for a high challenge on Real's Alvaro Arbeloa after 56 minutes with United leading through Sergio Ramos's own goal. Real took advantage of the dismissal with quick goals from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo on his return to Old Trafford to confirm a 2-1 win on the night and 3-2 aggregate victory to reach the last eight.
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Nani is the fourth Manchester United player to be sent off at Old Trafford in the Champions League after Rafael Da Silva, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. ( Opta ).
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United assistant manager Mike Phelan replaced Ferguson at the post-match media conference and said: "It's a distraught dressing room and a distraught manager. That's why I am sitting here now.
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"I don't think the manager is in any fit state to talk to the referee about the decision. It speaks volumes that I am sitting here now not the manager of this fantastic football club."
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Phelan continued: "We are extremely disappointed and wondering what has happened and why it has happened.