Ferguson weighs up FA charge

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has until Friday afternoon to decide whether to contest his FA misconduct charge.

Ferguson said last week he thought the issue was personal after the FA asked for his observations on his post–match comments about assistant referee Simon Beck at Tottenham on January 20.

The FA has decided there is a case for Ferguson to answer, leaving the Scot to work out whether he should fight or accept punishment - probably a fine.

The United boss received notification of the charge ahead of tonight’s league encounter with a Southampton side still coming to terms with the shock exit of Nigel Adkins.

Saints have been unbeaten in their last six league games and have lost only two of their last 13 - enough to haul them out of the relegation zone.

The run will be enough to trigger the return of 22–goal Robin van Persie, who sat out Saturday’s FA Cup win over Fulham.