Moyes rallies around Ferguson

Last updated : 22 March 2004 By Austin Rathe
Ferguson was sent off for the sixth time in his career on Saturday, but Moyes has been quick to point out the effect that his reputation may have had on the referee.

"You've got to look at the match official as well. I find it hard to think of a decision he gave us all day. Everybody knows this referee and they know what standard he is." said Moyes.

Defender Alessandro Pistone added: "The referee was on their side all afternoon and every time he took his whistle out it was to give a decision to them. I don't understand why.

"It seemed as though we were playing against another man out there."

I was at the game (my first away trip of the season) and it has to be said that the sending off was daft. However, the referee missed Ferguson trying to elbow a Leicster defender just before he was sent off. If he had seen that, there would have been no room for complaint from anyone.