Sir Alex Ferguson defends Nani from claims of diving against Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Nani is not the sort of player who would dive to win a penalty.

Nani was at the centre of a penalty claim during United's 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday after he tangled with Jan Vertonghen in the area.

Match referee Chris Foy did not award a spot kick for the incident, a decision with which Ferguson disagrees.

He told reporters: "I think the one in the first half was a clear penalty kick, but maybe Nani made a meal of it and he didn't need to do that. He was clearly pulled back.

"Nani is not the type to dive, I know that. It was a penalty kick on Saturday. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't. The linesman could have helped him but didn't."

The United boss also revealed at a pre-match press conference for Tuesday night's Champions League tie against Cluj that his squad is suffering with a virus that has affected a number of his senior players.