Moyes Defends Rooney Incident

Manchester United manager David Moyes has insisted that Wayne Rooney did not lash out at Cardiff City midfielder Jordon Mutch.

The striker was booked during Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium after appearing to kick the Bluebirds midfielder in the first half.

However, Moyes believes there was no malice towards Mutch and that referee Neil Swarbrick made the correct decision by opting to show Rooney a yellow card.

"The boy (Mutch) runs across his path and there's a bit of a tussle, but I didn't think it deserved any more than a yellow card," Moyes told Sky Sports.

"I don't think it was a lashing-out, I think it was more that he felt hard done-by with the boy running across his path with the ball.

"I didn't think it was a lash out to cause any harm, I think it was more of a disappointment that he lost the ball."

The Red Devils boss was disappointed with his side's defending and was frustrated to see Cardiff midfielder Gary Medel escape punishment, after the Chilean appeared to hit United midfielder Marouane Fellaini in the face.

"If he slaps someone in the face, then you'd expect some action to be taken. We actually lost our concentration because we were set up for the freekick, the referee then spends a minute or so talking to everyone and then sets it back up.

"We still should do better but it gave them two bites of the cherry as they did actually deliver the first ball," he added.

"It gave (Peter) Whittingham another chance to get his sighters in and he certainly put in a good ball."

While opposite number Malky Mackay admits Medel could have been dismissed, he also believes United midfielder Fellaini needs to be careful with the way he marks.

Asked about Medel, Mackay told Sky Sports: "He could (have been sent off) but then I also look at Fellaini and doing what he does normally and putting his head on someone else's face, and that's for me a sending off. So I think that's something that needs to be looked at as well.

"Having seen the way Fellaini marked and used his arms at times in the game, not all the times but at certain points, but more so putting his head into someone's face, I think that also justifies having a look at.

"But overall I'm happy that both teams deserved to have 11 men on the pitch. They didn't deserve to have any men off and neither did we."

Cardiff defender Ben Turner admits he did not want to see the England striker - who put United ahead in the 15th minute with a deflected shot and set up Patrice Evra's headed goal from a corner - sent off.

"I do think he kicked out from where I was, but I think the way game's going, I didn't want him sent off really because it's becoming less and less of a physical game and I think we need to keep some of that in the game for the enjoyment of the fans," he told Sky Sports 1.

"I think it's nice to have a bit of that going on."