Most fouled players in the Barclays Premier League...

As a regular target for the Barclays Premier League hatchet men, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his winger Cristiano Ronaldo is not protected enough by 'weak referees'.

The world's best footballer is said to be fed up of constantly picking himself up off the floor, with the league leaders claiming he is arguably the most fouled player in the top flight.

But this time the Old Trafford hierarchy, who fear the Portuguese star will be (literally) kicked to La Liga next season, are WRONG.

Even the stats are against Real Madrid target on this one as Sportmail reveals the list of the most fouled players in the Premier League so far this season.

Bolton

Kevin Davies - 73

Target man: The Premier League's most fouled player, Bolton captain Kevin Davies, is brought down by West Bromwich Albion's Jonas Olsson

West Ham

Valon Behrami - 70

Hammer blow: Valon Behrami receives medical treatment after suffering a horrific knee injury against Manchester City that saw him ruled out for the rest of the campaign

Wigan

Amr Zaki - 64

Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo - 64

Fall guy: United winger Cristiano Ronaldo stumbles in agony after being brought down at Fulham

Newcastle

Jonas Gutierrez - 64

Arsenal

Denilson - 63

Rovers return: Arsenal's Denilson manages to fire a shot off at goal despite being crunched by two Blackburn players

Manchester City

Shaun Wright-Phillips - 57

Up and under: Shaun Wright-Phillips is sent flying to the ground following a meaty challenge from former Chelsea colleague Frank Lampard

Aston Villa

Ashley Young - 54

Everton

Steven Pienaar - 50

Getting shirty: Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar clashes with Portsmouth defender Hermann Hreidarsson at Fratton Park

Hull

Geovanni - 41

Middlesbrough

Tuncay - 40

Chelsea

Frank Lampard - 39

Tottenham

Aaron Lennon - 38

Falling down: Spurs winger Aaron Lennon feels the force of a reckless Stiliyan Petrov tackle at Villa Park

Blackburn

Jason Roberts - 38

Fulham

Bobby Zamora - 37

Sunderland

Steed Malbranque - 37

Caught up: Manchester City centre-half Richard Dunne stops Sunderland star Steed Malbranque in his tracks

West Brom

Jonathan Greening - 36

Drop zone: West Ham's Lucas Neill gets stuck in on West Brom skipper Jonathan Greening

Liverpool

Xabi Alonso - 35

Kop that: Liverpool's Xabi Alonso takes a tumble from combative Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov

Stoke

Ricardo Fuller - 32

Hold up: Stoke hitman Ricardo Fuller is held up by Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth as the pair battle for the ball

Portsmouth

Peter Crough - 29

Dailymail.co.uk