Sir Alex Ferguson was left traumatised by tackle so bad that Gareth Southgate apologised and left Man Utd stars ‘numb’

GARETH SOUTHGATE had to apologise to Sir Alex Fergurson aft 1 his players injured a Manchester United star.

The incidental occurred portion the erstwhile England manager was successful complaint of Middlesbrough successful 2008.

United bushed Boro 3-1 successful a 3rd circular League Cup tie, but the triumph was overshadowed by the wounded wonderkid Rodrigo Possebon sustained.

The Brazilian midfielder, who was making his archetypal commencement for the Red Devils, was connected the receiving extremity of a fearfulness tackle from Emmanuel Pogatetz.

He was sent disconnected but it did small to calm down a furious Sir Alex.

Ferguson revealed aft the crippled that "everyone was numb" successful fearfulness for Possebon.

And the legendary brag was fuming implicit Boro players pleading it was not a reddish card, saying: "It was an perfectly unspeakable tackle.

"What gets maine astir challenges similar that is that the hostile ever claims helium has done thing wrong.

"Pogatetz should person conscionable walked disconnected the field.

"You get their seat screaming that it wasn't a sending disconnected and determination is thing incorrect with our player.

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"At slightest Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was precise bully astir it. He apologised and understood the gravity."

Possebon was fortunate to debar a breached limb and Pogatetz besides aboriginal apologised.

He said: "Firstly, I person to accidental that I went for the tackle due to the fact that I thought I could triumph the ball. I present accept, however, that I misjudged the challenge.

"But present I that I person had the accidental to spot the tackle connected television, I cognize the ref was close to nonstop maine off.

"I americium going to talk to Rodrigo by telephone and I volition apologise for hurting him. I anticipation that helium volition marque a speedy betterment and that helium volition not beryllium retired for long."

Possebon went connected to marque 8 appearances for Man Utd earlier returning to play successful his homeland of Brazil.

He present works arsenic a main astatine Brazilian Serie A nine Athletico Paranaense.