Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Ferguson says the FA are right to defend referees
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Manchester United's sense of injustice over their recent defeats by Chelsea is in danger of making his players paranoid.[LNB]The two clubs clash again in the first leg of an eagerly awaited Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday with Ferguson still furious over their last meeting at Stamford Bridge at the start of this month. [LNB]It led to him being hit with a five-game touchline ban and ?30,000 fine for his comments about referee Martin Atkinson.[LNB] I'm not paranoid! Ferguson feels his side have been unlucky against Chelsea[LNB]United felt that Atkinson's refusal to show David Luiz a second yellow card for fouls on Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez as Chelsea came from behind to win 2-1 continued a trend of decisions going in favour of their major rivals for honours in recent years.[LNB]Last season, United were unhappy with Atkinson for awarding the free-kick that led to John Terry's winner at Stamford Bridge, and with Didier Drogba's decisive strike at Old Trafford five months later when they insisted the Chelsea striker was offside.[LNB]The two defeats ultimately cost Ferguson's side the Premier League title as they finished a point behind their rivals.[LNB]The United boss said: 'In the last few games, we've had terrible decisions against us. You've just got to be careful that you don't have paranoia about it.[LNB] Flashpoint: Martin Atkinson sends off Nemanja Vidic against Chelsea[LNB]'Ability-wise, we're a good team. We played exceptionally well at Chelsea the last game and we were very, very unlucky. We didn't deserve to lose.' [LNB]Ferguson was found guilty of improper conduct for saying United were not given a 'fair' referee in Atkinson, although he quickly replaced theword with 'strong'.[LNB]He defended his right to give an opinion yesterday while admitting that he can see why the FA threw the book at him.[LNB]'If you speak your mind, it's a problem in the game,' he said. 'The FA is very strong in supporting the referees. In a way, I totally agree with that but there has to be fair comment also. I think I try to do that.' [LNB] Revenge mission: United could meet Barcelona in the Champions League final[LNB]If United can overcome Carlo Ancelotti's side over two legs, they could be on course to meet Barcelona at Wembley in a repeat of the 2009 Champions League final. [LNB]Ferguson insists he has learned from that chastening defeat in Rome and would welcome a rematch with the Spanish giants.[LNB]'Some people may say stay clear of Barcelona, but I think it's a privilege to play against them at the moment,' he said. 'This season we are seeing them finally mature into something special.[LNB]'The performances against Real Madrid in the league and against Arsenal told me everything I already knew about them. They are an example of the way we want to play our football.[LNB]'It's a test, a challenge and the kind that we hope that if we do play them in another important game, as we did two years ago, we'd learnfrom that and be better.'[LNB] No go: Ferguson expects his former player Tevez to stay at City after the summer[LNB]While his focus is on bringing trophies to Old Trafford, Ferguson keeps half an eye on events across Manchester.[LNB]And the United boss expects rivals Manchester City to keep former Red Devils striker Carlos Tevez at Eastlands beyond the summer.[LNB]Tevez submitted a transfer request earlier in the season but has since made his peace with the club, so while Ferguson was not taken aback by news the Argentinian was keen to leave, he now sees the former United frontman staying in the city.[LNB]Ferguson said: 'Knowing the background, the people who represent him, I'm not surprised, but I don't think Manchester City would want to let him go.[LNB]'He's had a great time there, he's been their top goalscorer, their best player in the last two years, so why would they want to sell him?[LNB]'You don't know everything at every club of course but it seemed to have settled down and I think in Mancini they have a strong manager who can deal with that.'[LNB] United legend Robson backs Sir Alex's claim that Wembley semi-finals will be 'chaos'Welbeck understands Ghana boo-boys but can't hide his debut delightDe Gea and Rodwell top Fergie's shopping list as Manchester United boss eyes three new faces in summer spreeAll the latest Man United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Martin Atkinson, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Carlo Ancelotti, Carlos Tevez Places: Barcelona, Rome, Manchester
