Gary Neville: Wayne Rooney tackle was "stupid"

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes that Wayne Rooney can have no complaints over the red card he was issued against West Ham United.

The England skipper was given his marching orders by referee Lee Mason after kicking out at Stewart Downing in United's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney was quick to apologise to his teammates following the dismissal, although Neville has branded the tackle "stupid".

"Rooney can have no arguments whatsoever," the Three Lions first-team coach told Sky Sports News. "You do want to break play up but the mistake Rooney makes is the height of the contact.

"It's stupid, it's instinctive. United can't afford to lose any more players and he's going to be missing for a month now with a big game against Chelsea coming up."

The red card was the seventh that the striker has been shown for club and country since making his professional debut in 2002.