Fergie tells United: Stop the ref paranoia

Sir Alex Ferguson has told his Manchester United players to avoid being “paranoid” about refereeing decisions.

United enter the defining period of the season with Ferguson serving a five-game domestic touchline ban for remarks made about official Martin Atkinson following a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.

And with United eyeing a Treble haul of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, Ferguson said it was vital he and his players did not develop a persecution complex when it comes to officials.

United take on Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next Wednesday at Stamford Bridge - where United have not won since April 2002.

Asked what United needed to do to end that run, Ferguson pointed to perceived injustices, but warned against the danger of believing officials had an agenda against him and his players.

“In the last few games [at Chelsea] we’ve had terrible decisions against us,” said Ferguson.

“You’ve just got to be careful that you don’t have paranoia about it.

“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.”

Ferguson, who will serve the second game of his touchline ban at West Ham on Saturday, said he agreed with the FA’s stance in protecting referees from unnecessary abuse.

But the United boss claimed there had to be balance between supporting officials and allowing managers the freedom to speak their mind over contentious decisions and referees’ performances.

“If you speak your mind, it’s a problem in the game,” said Ferguson. “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.”

Ferguson’s olive branch to officials will be tested on Saturday when Lee Mason is the referee at Upton Park.

He incurred the wrath of Fergie earlier in the season when he failed to spot a handball by Birmingham striker Nikola Zigic in the build-up to a late Blues equaliser by Lee Bowyer.

With eight games to go in the title race, United hold a five-point lead over Arsenal, who have a game in hand.

But with Ferguson having predicted 82 points as the winning total, he knows United must improve their away record in their four games left on the road if they are to clinch the title.

“Away from home we have been disappointing but then you have to say that maybe this league is getting tougher than we think and the top teams are not getting it as easy as they did in the past,” he said.

“I think that emphasises the strength of the league rather than the weakness of it. The run-in is always going to be difficult. It doesn’t matter where we play, whether it’s away or at home.

“You saw it our last game against Bolton, we didn’t score until the last kick of the ball, but that’s typical of Manchester United. They have got that in their history, they’re a team that never gives in.

“We’re still in everything. We’re in the semi-final of the FA Cup, the quarter-finals of the Champions League and we’re top of the league so, statistically, we’re doing great.

“I would analyse it this way - I think we’ve done exceptionally well considering the injuries we’ve carried. We’ve had players out for long periods.

“We’ve had long-term injuries to Rio Ferdinand, young Rafael has had injuries, Wes Brown, all the defenders have carried injuries right through the season and the only one who has actually kept fit has been Chris Smalling, who has been outstanding.”

Ferguson also said he would not quit United even if they win a 19th title this season to eclipse Liverpool as the country’s most successful football force.

“No, no, I’m fit,” he said. “I think that retirement is for young people. They can do something.

“If you’ve got your fitness, you’ve not got a problem. If you have got your health, you don’t have a problem.

“The thing that would decide it for me is if those things deteriorated.”