Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson pointed the finger at Middlesbrough captain Emanuel Pogatetz after the latest flare-up involving Cristiano Ronaldo.

United closed the gap on Liverpool to seven points with a 1-0 win, thanks to Dimitar Berbatov's 69th-minute volley.

But the talking point came just before the break when Red Devils winger Ron got involved in a row with Boro skipper Pogatetz.

Defender Pog appeared to wrestle the Portugal wing whizz to the ground.

Ron let out a loud yelp and ran to the ref, holding his hand to his throat. The players clashed again as the teams left the pitch and had to be pulled apart.

Ferguson said: "It seems Pogatetz grabbed him by the neck. It happens all the time. There is jostling and jersey-pulling. Defenders are getting away with murder."