Sir Alex Ferguson has defended Nani against accusations of diving but believes “particularly” foreign players are to blame for simulation.
Nani was criticised in the wake of the 3-2 defeat by Tottenham.
Ferguson said: “As a subject it is not worth going down because we have known for quite a few years there are plenty of players diving and, you have to say, particularly foreign players.
“Nani is not the type to dive. He has never been that type of player.”
Ferguson’s comments follow Sergio Aguero’s claims that home players are treated better than foreigners by Premier League referees.
In April Ferguson, whose team face Cluj in the Champions League on Tuesday night, warned Ashley Young about diving.
But he insists referee Chris Foy was wrong to deny Portuguese winger Nani, 25, a spot-kick after the challenge from Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen on Saturday.
Ferguson added: “It was a penalty kick on Saturday. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. From the referee’s position it was difficult because there were plenty of bodies in front of him.”