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Headbutt victim Richard Hughes last night mocked Cristiano Ronaldo's attempt to lay him out and said: "It was hardly a Glasgow kiss."
However, the red card Ronaldo received for his clash with Hughes six minutes from the end of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth cost him £120,000 yesterday when he was fined a week's wages by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hughes and Ronaldo tangled as they jostled before a corner and the Portugal star appeared to lash out at substitute Hughes and then lean his head into his face.
Fergie slammed Ronaldo, 22, who will miss United's next three games, for allowing himself to be provoked and contributing to United's winless start.
And Hughes rubbed salt into Ronaldo's wounds by saying he hardly noticed the player's attempt to deck him.
"It wasn't a Glasgow kiss," Hughes said. "I've received harder headbutts. I don't know if there was any intent but he came in a bit quicker than me and our heads clashed.
"My intention wasn't to get Ronaldo sent off. It was the referee's decision, not mine. I was too close to know whether he meant it."
Ronaldo's loss of control means United will lose him and injured Wayne Rooney, who is out for two months, for the matches against Manchester City, Spurs and Sunderland.
United are already four points behind bitter rivals Chelsea and are desperate to stop Jose Mourinho's side edging further ahead.
However, the red card Ronaldo received for his clash with Hughes six minutes from the end of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth cost him £120,000 yesterday when he was fined a week's wages by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hughes and Ronaldo tangled as they jostled before a corner and the Portugal star appeared to lash out at substitute Hughes and then lean his head into his face.
Fergie slammed Ronaldo, 22, who will miss United's next three games, for allowing himself to be provoked and contributing to United's winless start.
And Hughes rubbed salt into Ronaldo's wounds by saying he hardly noticed the player's attempt to deck him.
"It wasn't a Glasgow kiss," Hughes said. "I've received harder headbutts. I don't know if there was any intent but he came in a bit quicker than me and our heads clashed.
"My intention wasn't to get Ronaldo sent off. It was the referee's decision, not mine. I was too close to know whether he meant it."
Ronaldo's loss of control means United will lose him and injured Wayne Rooney, who is out for two months, for the matches against Manchester City, Spurs and Sunderland.
United are already four points behind bitter rivals Chelsea and are desperate to stop Jose Mourinho's side edging further ahead.
