Alex Ferguson has branded Ashley Cole "reckless" after the defender injured Javier Hernandez in Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Cole was booked for his lunge on the Mexican striker as he went for a rebound, and Ferguson believes that United should have at least had a penalty for the tackle.

"It was a shocking tackle," the Scot told MUTV. "The referee booked him, so I don't understand why he hasn't given a penalty.

"Ashley Cole is very reckless at times. He is committed of course but being committed you can sometimes go over the edge a bit. That was an example of that."

The win keeps United top of the Premier League, while Chelsea remain in third place.