Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken out over his unhappiness with the appointment of German ref Herbert Fandel, for Manchester United’s Champion’s league clash with Sporting Lisbon tonight.

Ferguson put his head in his hands and sighed melodramatically when asked if he was happy with UEFA’s choice of ref at a press conference.

“Have we got a supply of Mogadon?”, he said. Who he implied the calming drug was for is another matter. Christiano Ronaldo and new signing Nani, were both signed from Sporting Lisbon and Ferguson feels that this is an extremely sensitive time for the club. He feels his team, Ronaldo in particular, have been treated harshly already this season. Ronaldo was sent off in the season opener against Portsmouth and more recently was booked this weekend for diving against Everton. The boss feels both incidents were unjust.

"It's worrying for us because it feels as if he is being punished for his success and I don't like that at all," he said. "In my mind - and in a lot of people's minds - there has been a lot of unfairness."

Fandel is not new to being on the receiving end of criticism from Fergie. In 2004 Roy Keane was sent off against Porto and when the match ended Ferguson refused to shake Mourihno’s hand as he felt the Porto were guilty of diving. Paul Scholes was sent off by Fandel last season when United lined up against Roma, on that occasion Fergie felt the ref favoured the Italians.

Will Fandel infuriate Ferguson even further tonight? Only time will tell.