Red card controversy: Is it a case of what goes around comes around for Manchester United midfielder Nani?

Nani was among those who protested when Emmanuel Eboue of Arsenal was sent off for a similar challenge

Nani and Eboue leave the pitch after their red cards (GETTY IMAGES)

Eyes on the ball, a high but unintentional coming together, the flash of a red card.

While this might sound like the sequence of last night's events which led to Nani walking off down the tunnel and taking Manchester United's Champions League hopes with him, it actually refers to a similar incident back in 2008 in which United were on the opposing team.

In Manchester United's 2008 FA Cup tie against Arsenal, defender Emmanuel Eboue was sent off for the Gunners when he came together with Patrice Evra. The Arsenal defender's eyes didn't leave the ball but the connection with the United player was dangerous.

Rio Ferdinand immediately urged Alan Wiley to take action over the incident at Old Trafford, and just before the referee brandished the red card, Nani is seen approaching the man in black to offer his take on the coming together.

United were incensed by last night's decision by referee Cuneyt Cakir, with Sir Alex Ferguson too "distraught" to talk to the press after his side's Champions League exit to Real Madrid. Ferdinand was also seen sarcastically clapping in the referee's face at the full-time whistle.

However, some may argue it is difficult to sympathise with the Red Devils in light of their reaction to the Eboue incident.

Watch the Eboue red card incident below...