Ferguson sympathy for Clattenburg

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims referee Mark Clattenburg was "pilloried" undeservedly at Chelsea last weekend.

Clattenburg was at the centre of a storm during a tempestuous Barclays Premier League clash between the two clubs at Stamford Bridge, which United won 3-2 after the Blues had two men sent off. Clattenburg was later subject of a complaint that he used "inappropriate language" towards Chelsea's John Obi Mikel by the London club.

Writing in his programme notes ahead of the game against Arsenal, Ferguson said: "I certainly felt every sympathy for Mark Clattenburg at Chelsea last Sunday. He was pilloried and didn't deserve it. In my mind the officials made two mistakes, one that went against us and one that did us a huge favour, and I don't hold either error against them!"

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