Monday 2 May 2011

Sir Alex Ferguson worried about refereeing decisions against Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson's fears Manchester United's Premier League title bid could be wrecked by a refereeing decision at Old Trafford next Sunday.

United now face a crucial encounter with Chelsea just three points ahead of the Londoners following today's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.

Less than 24 hours after Chelsea profited from two errors by match officials to record a 2-1 win over Tottenham, Ferguson felt his own side were denied the chance of a point at the Emirates when referee Chris Foy failed to spot Gael Clichy's foul on Michael Owen.

Coming a couple of months after Ferguson was furious at pivotal decisions that went against United in a defeat at Chelsea, and still believing the Reds were on the wrong end of key calls in both matches between the two sides last term, the Scot is worried about history repeating itself.

"It's too big a game not to get the decisions right, Ferguson said.

"Clichy knew. He put his hands up in horror. Obviously, it gives Chelsea a major chance now. That's what happens when you get these decisions.

"They got one at Old Trafford last season so that's the worry now."

Ferguson does appear to be using a selective judgement on refereeing decisions involving United.

Against Chelsea last season for instance, Federico Macheda scored thanks to a handball not long after Didier Drogba netted from an offside position.

Whilst United were on the wrong end of two calls at Stamford Bridge this season, in the Champions League encounter at the same ground, Ramires was denied a cast-iron spot-kick in the last minute after being felled by Patrice Evra.

Even yesterday, Nemanja Vidic's first-half handball should have been spotted by Foy.

"It was difficult for anyone to see that," argued Ferguson.

"It was a mere flick of the ball. You don't really expect the linesman or the referee to see that.

"But [the Owen incident] was a clear penalty kick as far as I'm concerned. He was definitely brought down."

Owen himself claimed he was fouled, although he accepted United did not play well.

"Not seen TV replay but don't need to as I know mine was a pen," said the former England striker on Twitter.

"Heard people saying Arsenal should of (sic) had one too so can't complain too much.

"That was a kick in the teeth. We were not happy with our performance but it is important to put today behind us now and focus on things we can affect in the future.

"Still in a great position so time for one final push."

Owen also observed that all four Champions League semi-finalists lost this weekend, although Ferguson has already vowed to do something about that on Wednesday, when United will try to defend a two-goal advantage against Schalke at Old Trafford.

"We have a big week ahead," said the United boss.

"Wednesday is a European semi-final second leg and then the game on Sunday, so two massive games.

"We will regroup and freshen it up.

"I will make some changes on Wednesday without question. I will bring Paul Scholes back in, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen.

"We'll need to do that but I will probably keep my experienced players at the back."

Should United lose next week, they will surrender top spot, on the slimmest of goal differences, with two games remaining and turn the title race into a two-game shoot-out

"We are in as good a position as you could ever wish for at the start of the season - semi-final of the European Cup, second leg, two-goal lead and go into a home game on Sunday level on goal difference.

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