SWANSEA CITY 1, MAN UNITED 1.
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Robin van Persie could have been killed in Manchester United’s 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Swansea City.
The Reds’ manager called for Swansea’s Ashley Williams to be suspended for kicking the ball at the head of the Dutchman as he lay on the ground.
While Williams insisted it was an accident, Fergsuon was unimpressed believing it was deliberate and dangerous: “Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive. It is the most horrendous thing I have seen on a football pitch for many years.
“He could have broken his neck and he (Williams) should be banned by the FA for a long time.”
The incident saw both players booked – Williams for the offence and van Persie for his furious raction – overshadowed the match which saw the Reds’ lead at the top cut from six to four points.
United, who had Nemanja Vidic back after a three-month injury lay-off, for once didn’t have to come from behind.
It was a rare occurrence when Patrice Evra gave them a 16th minute advantage as he glanced a header home from van Persie’s corner.
Remarkably it was the third headed goal scored by the tiny Frenchman from a corner in the current campaign.
Indeed, they may have already been ahead as Swans’ keeper Michel Vorm had made smart saves to deny Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young while there was also claims for handball following an Antonio Valencia cross.
Swansea equalised just short of the half hour through Michu whose 13th goal made him the top scorer in the Premier League.
Jonathan de Guzman’s initial shot was parried by David de Gea, but only into the path of the Spaniard to slot home the loose ball.
Kemy Agustien and Wayne Routledge were both denied by de Gea early in the second half as Swansea seized control.
United finished the game on the front foot and must still be wondering why they didn’t leave the Liberty Stadium with three points.
Dutchman van Persie hooked a shot over his shoulder only to be denied by the crossbar.
Vorm also turned Michael Carrick’s header on to the bar from Ryan Giggs’ corner.
Young and Javier Hernandez also had shots blocked by Williams and Ben Davies respectively but it was one of those days when United just couldn’t conjure a winner.
And with City the previous day scraping a 1-0 victory against relegation-threatened Reading, these could prove to be two costly lost points for United.