Ferguson charged over referee tirade

Manchester Utd v Sporting LisbonAlex Ferguson faces a possible touchline ban from Manchester United's visit to Liverpool after being charged by the Football Association for "using abusive and insulting words" during his finger-jabbing attack on referee Mark Clattenburg during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Bolton.

A full note of the incident was included in Clattenburg's match report, alleging that Ferguson had repeatedly sworn and jabbed out his finger, and the FA contacted Ferguson last night to confirm they were taking action.

The United manager has been instructed to answer the charge by December 11th, five days before he takes his team to Liverpool.

Ferguson's main priority this evening will be ensuring United finish top of their Champions League group but he could be forgiven if his attention is occasionally diverted to the pony-tailed midfielder in Sporting Lisbon's number 24 shirt.

Ferguson would not elaborate last night when asked about his plans to sign Miguel Veloso, but there was confirmation elsewhere at Old Trafford, as well as from the player's agent, that United are interested in the 21-year-old.

United's directors intend to reaffirm their interest when they meet Sporting's representatives tonight. Nonetheless, they will be informed that Veloso does not come cheap, with the player's agent, Paulo Barbosa, estimating it will take a bid of around 22-25 million to complete the deal.

Barbosa said a deal was more likely at the end of the season.

Ferguson has confirmed he will again unleash his own Portuguese duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani against their former club tonight. Ronaldo, the match-winner in Lisbon in September, was rested for United on Saturday.

Ferguson also has Nemanja Vidic available again tonight after he missed the Bolton game because of slight injuries. But Ryan Giggs is likely to be rested in an experimental line-up that includes Tomasz Kuszczak, Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea.