Fergie fans flames ahead of Liverpool clash

Alex Ferguson is hoping Manchester United are one day as 'lucky' as Liverpool in their dealings with the Football Association.

Ferguson launched a bitter attack on the FA's disciplinary panel after Steven Gerrard was cleared to face United at Old Trafford tomorrow despite being involved in two high-profile incidents Ferguson felt could land him in hot water with the game's authorities.

Instead, no action was taken following an alleged abusive gesture during the Reds' defeat at Wigan last week and then a poor challenge on Portsmouth's Michael Brown at Anfield on Monday.

Given Rio Ferdinand received a four-match ban less than two months ago for an attack on Hull forward Craig Fagan, Ferguson feels Liverpool are benefiting from an advantage he wishes his own team could get.

'We know that,' responded Ferguson when it was pointed out Gerrard was not the first Liverpool player to benefit from non-action by the FA as Javier Mascherano also escaped censure for a similar incident in a Carling Cup tie against Leeds earlier this season.

'They do all right with that. They are lucky with that.
'It happens. Maybe in some years we will get lucky too. Who knows?'

A long-time critic of the FA's handling of disciplinary matters, Ferguson claims to no longer care about their handling of individual issues.

Clearly though, the Scot is perturbed.

'I didn't expect them to be charging Steven Gerrard simply because I think it is a dysfunctional unit, the FA,' he said.

'I don't think they know what they are doing.

'There is no consistency for a start. I didn't expect to get any.

'I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down there. It is crazy at times.'

Ferguson does have an answer, which involves what he feels would be a valuable contribution from the many experienced fellow managers who currently find themselves out of work.

'For many years the League Managers' Association have tried to have an input,' he said.

'You have maybe 20 redundant managers with good experience and good knowledge of the game who have played the game. They could be involved in that.

'It would save a fortune because you cannot imagine what it is costing to run that FA disciplinary operation down in London.'

It is unlikely Ferguson will be contacted by the FA for a further explanation, although should they do so it would come after Sunday's clash of the north-west titans.

As United are looking to maintain their present position at the Premier League summit, Ferguson is desperate to end a three-match losing streak - all of which have included the dismissal of Nemanja Vidic - at the hands of Rafael Benitez.