Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Ferguson: We are losing faith

09 Nov 2009 - 07:22:49

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Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that Manchester United are "losing faith in refereeing" after Sunday's controversial defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Referee Martin Atkinson awarded the home side a debatable free-kick after Darren Fletcher's challenge on Ashley Cole which led to John Terry heading home a 76th minute winner.

To compound the matter in Ferguson's eyes, an offside Didier Drogba then appeared to pull down Wes Brown before Terry diverted Frank Lampard's free-kick into the back of the net.

"Clearly, Darren Fletcher's won the ball," said Ferguson. "Ashley Cole's never touched and has jumped up in the air.

"And then Drogba's pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he can't see anything. He's got a Chelsea player standing right in front of him and he doesn't even move.

"It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there - it was a bad one."

However, Ferguson admitted that his side could not blame the referee for their failure to score against the Premier League leaders.

"That goal should never have been allowed. We've dominated the game, we've had great chances to win the match - and that's our fault," he said after his side slipped five points off the pace set by Chelsea.

"We had great opportunities to get to the edge of the box and some really good chances in and around the box, but we should be finishing it off.

"We've only ourselves to blame in that respect. But you do need a break."