I do wonder at the logic sometimes. If you look at any sport, especially those where a lot of money is at stake, you will find people who are prepared to go as far as is legal and sometimes beyond to be the top team/performer. Would Michael Schumacher have been as successful if he wasn't prone to nugde a rival off the track as he passed him? Would the Aussies have been so dominant in cricket without world class sledging to go with their world class team? Ferguson takes this to another level. If he really has that much influence over refereeing strategy in this country (and I doubt he does) then surely it's his job to take advantage of it? There's enough pressure on players and managers to perform so why not refs? If the people who employ officials in the game are stupid enough to bow to pressure from an individual manager then more power to him if he uses that to his advantage. Pretty much all the non-united fans hate the guy anyway and as I am sure he would say, it's not popularity contest. Maybe it's time for other mangers to grow a pair? Jose had the right idea and did similar things.* *This is just a point for discussion, I am not sure even I totally think this is the right attitude but I thought it might be interesting to discuss it.