Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has apologised to Martin Taylor for suggesting the Birmingham defender was a hatchet man.

Queiroz mentioned Taylor, who broke Arsenal striker Eduardo's leg in a tackle last week, during a furious rant against referee Martin Atkinson and Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra following Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup defeat.

The Portuguese coach has now apologised to Taylor - but not to the referee or to Diarra.

Queiroz said: "I am deeply sorry if my comments, made when emotions were running high after the Portsmouth game, were misconstrued.

"Everyone at Manchester United knows that Martin Taylor is not that type of player.

"All I sought to say was that in the modern game, because of its speed, we need to have more vigilance on mistimed tackles. I apologise for any upset my remarks may have caused."

Queiroz had accused Diarra of elbowing Cristiano Ronaldo, and the referee allowing him to use over-physical tactics against the winger for the rest of the game.