Ferguson to learn fate over comments

THE Football Association have requested a copy of Sir Alex Ferguson’s post–match interview with MUTV from Tuesday’s encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Manchester United boss will learn by 4pm tomorrow whether he will be charged with improper conduct for his attack on referee Martin Atkinson.

Although the Reds manager’s comments on Sky Sports were critical of the official, it is the ones to his club’s own in–house station where the FA believe he may have crossed the line by raising a question about Atkinson’s integrity.

The FA have no power to order MUTV to hand over a copy of the interview, but feel it would be in Ferguson’s best interests as it can often bring comments into context that look harsh on the printed page.

Ferguson labelled that decision, for Chris Smalling’s foul on Yuri Zhirkov “soft”.

It was the failure to send David Luiz off for a clear trip on Wayne Rooney after the Brazilian had already been booked that really annoyed the Scot.