Manchester United v Real Madrid fallout – as it happened - The Guardian

I see your point. Nani is not a centre-back or a goalkeeper so it is not as if Manchester United lost a key defender and maybe it's harder for a team to break down 10 men, etc.

The other thing is that I'm not sure the referee got it wrong, not in terms of what can be given in continental competition...

But, again, to try and keep Real Madrid out with 10 men is always hard, especially in a Champions League knock-out situation with Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks. And, though not a defender, Nani provided an outlet, and the more a side attacks, of course, the less the opposition come forwards themselves...