Vieira: Man United DO get preferential treatment from refs

Manchester City coach Patrick Vieira has ramped up his row with Manchester United by claiming that Premier League refs DO treat them differently to other sides.

On Monday night referee Michael Oliver controversially decided not to award Fulham a late penalty during their 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol was outraged by the blunder and even Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that the spot kick should have been given .

And now Vieira has weighed in to the debate, telling BBC Sport:

"When United play at home they get some advantage that other teams don't get.

"When you go to United, Madrid, Barcelona, or Milan, it's always difficult for the referee to go against these kind of teams.

"This is the way it is. It's something the teams who are used to winning get all the time, so we need to win games so we have this advantage in the future."

The broadside comes a week after Vieira suggested United's decision to bring Paul Scholes out of retirement during the January transfer window smacked of desperation.

That claim brought a stinging response from Sir Alex Ferguson, who claimed Roberto Mancini was the desperate one for choosing to select Carlos Tevez, a player the City manager previously stated would never appear for the club again.

The Scot also stated that he had "plenty of ammunition" if City wanted to engage in a war of mind games.

Vieira's comments drew an immediate response from Rio Ferdinand on Twitter.

"Why is Viera so concerned with Man Utd....2 comments in a week or so....c'mon maaaaaan let it go," said the United defender.

Read David McDonnell on why he doesn't think United get preferential treatment and also our Twitter gags from Monday night's game .