Independent
‘Sir Alex Ferguson's 63rd birthday present from the Football Association tomorrow will be a three-match ban for his striker Wayne Rooney which will leave the Manchester United manager with only one international striker at his disposal.
‘The decision by the FA is unlikely to improve the fractious temper of the United manager, who on Monday scattered reporters' dictaphones in a rant against coverage of the incident. Ferguson's mood will also be darkened by the fact that there is nothing he can do to contest the charge.
‘It is the second time that a United player has been charged with violent conduct this season on video evidence after Van Nistelrooy was punished with a three-match ban for stamping on Ashley Cole during the match against Arsenal on 24 October.
‘The decision will also re-open old wounds about the bias that Ferguson believes exists against his club within the FA. Although United's chief executive, David Gill, is now a member of the FA council, Ferguson has always been suspicious of the influence of the Arsenal vice-chairman, David Dein, at the governing body. He is also understood be ambivalent about the new chief executive, Brian Barwick.
Times:
‘Sir Alex Ferguson’s belief — some would say paranoia — that Manchester United are treated unfairly by the FA will have been exacerbated yesterday by the news that Wayne Rooney is facing a three-match suspension. The England striker was charged with violent conduct yesterday.
‘The logic is that, had the referee seen the incident, he would have sent off Rooney but, in this case, that is highly debatable. Dermot Gallagher, the official during United’s victory over Bolton, is notably lenient. He, and many other referees, would probably have cautioned Rooney for a harmless hand-off.
‘Ferguson argued as much this week when he accused the media of a witch-hunt against his teenage striker. Although Rooney does need to learn to control his temper, Ferguson is right to claim that many other players have got away with far worse than shoving a hand in an opponent’s face.’