Rio Ferdinand is considering whether to appeal against his four-match suspension for attacking Hull City's Craig Fagan at Old Trafford last weekend. The England centre back received the punishment yesterday after he failed in his bid to overturn a violent conduct charge.
An additional game was added to the automatic three-game suspension for what an FA disciplinary panel deemed to be a "frivolous" appeal.
Alex Ferguson is not entirely happy with the situation and club officials will now analyse the disciplinary judgement before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.
While it would have no effect on the first three games, at Arsenal on Sunday and then the following Premier League matches against Portsmouth and Aston Villa, Manchester United could succeed in overturning the fourth match, at Everton on February 20.
"We have to decide whether to appeal because there are conflicting ways in which these decisions are being viewed," he said.
"I watched the game between Leyton Orient and Charlton on Monday and there was an elbow on the Charlton player three times as he was running with the ball.
"But nothing has happened with that.
"There is a lot of confusion there, although we accept that for tomorrow, Rio is banned."
Feguson has also made an unusual plea to United fans in requesting that they stop verbally abusing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger then the teams meet.
It has been a feature of recent clashes between United and the Gunners that Wenger has come under sustained attack from the Red Devils supporters, with one particularly vile song being repeatedly directed at the Frenchman.
As Ferguson himself has had cause to complain about the treatment he has received at the Emirates Stadium in recent years, both clubs understand there is a need for caution and cool heads.
And the United boss feels it is time for the abuse towards Wenger in particular to stop.
"I know there has been some terrible abuse from our fans towards Arsene Wenger," said Ferguson. "But a line has to be drawn. They must know that themselves."
It is only a couple of years ago that Harry Redknapp was subjected to awful taunting at Villa Park, while Ferguson's profile ensures he bears the brunt of plenty of fan ire at visiting grounds.
"It is unavoidable that managers do get abused," he said. "I get it myself. Most managers do.
"Sometimes I can't hear these chants, or make them out but it has to be controlled."
Ferguson delivered his sermon less than 48 hours after praising United's supporters to the hilt for the part they played in their team's Carling Cup victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
This despite the fact that one fan has been arrested and another is being sought for throwing missiles at City's Craig Bellamy as he prepared to take a corner.
The Scot said if the Red Devils received similar backing throughout the season, they would hardly lose a game.
But he feels it must be pointed out that positive support is far different to negative attacks on members of the opposition camp.
"There is none better than our support, as it showed on Wednesday," said Ferguson.
"I was really proud of them.
"But they have a team to support.
"They don't need to worry about anyone else. They should be proud of the players."