NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Nick Pope has explained the mix-up at Old Trafford which left Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo fuming after seeing a goal disallowed.
The visiting Magpies were awarded a free-kick for offside.
Defender Fabian Schar appeared to knock the ball back to Pope, who remained static.
Ronaldo then closed the keeper down believing the ball had been played by Schar and fired into the back of the net.
United players immediately swarmed the referee and Ronaldo was booked for his furious protest.
One crowd video shows Schar playing the ball a moment after the referee’s whistle could be heard.
Nonetheless, Newcastle keeper Pope says the decision to not award United the goal was the right one as the free-kick wasn’t in the right place.
The England international told Chronicle Live: “The free-kick was slightly in the wrong place and obviously Fabby’s (Schar) rolled it back to me and walked off.
“I think you know by everyone’s body language that you know he’s not meaning to take a free-kick.
“I think the referee sorted it out quickly and fair play to him for making the right decision and squashed it straight away.”
The disallowed goals summed up Ronaldo’s performance.
He was largely anonymous in the 0-0 draw and was hauled off with 20 minutes to go for Marcus Rashford.
The highlight of the 37-year-old’s afternoon would’ve been his trophy presentation alongside Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of kick-off to celebrate reaching 700 club goals.
