FA don't treat us fairly, claims furious Fergie
Scholes will face an FA disciplinary hearing on Monday to answer the violent conduct charge brought against him for his attack on Doriva during the match with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on February 11.
If the case goes against him, the England midfielder will miss the league encounters with Charlton, Liverpool and Blackburn, all vital to United's chances of finishing runners- up to Arsenal this term.
Although Ferguson previously dismissed the incident as trivial, his long-held mistrust of the FA leads him to believe Scholes will get banned.
The Scot is still seething over the eight-month ban meted out to Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test last September.
A fortnight ago he hit out at Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to play Nicky Butt and Phil Neville for much of England's friendly in Sweden.
And he barely concealed his contempt as he contemplated Scholes' immediate future.
"You know the FA and Manchester United," he said.
"There is a scenario for every club in the country and another one for us.
"We expect Paul to have a difficult hearing. Put it this way, I don't think he will get the same hearing as other players get."
Scholes will be available for today's trip to Portsmouth, although Ferguson revealed top-scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy and captain Roy Keane are unlikely to play at Fratton Park after failing to overcome their recent knocks.
"Neither of them has had enough training this week to risk playing in a game that physically will be very difficult," he said.
"They are more likely to be involved against Charlton on Tuesday."
Also absent will be Diego Forlan, whose march straight down the tunnel following his substitution in the 1-0 win over Leicester at Old Trafford on Tuesday attracted attention.
There have been suggestions the Uruguay international will be sold during the summer and his midweek petulance would bring down the curtain on an unhappy time with the Red Devils since his £7m move from Independiente more than two years ago.
However, Ferguson dismissed the talk, claiming Forlan was suffering from an Achilles problem that will keep him out of today's game.
"It wasn't a problem to me," said the Old Trafford manager.
"He was disappointed to come off but that is natural. On Tuesday he had an Achilles problem and wanted some ice on it, that's why he went straight to the dressing room."
Having closed the gap on second- placed Chelsea to three points, United can briefly overtake the London club, who do not take on Everton until tomorrow afternoon.
Ferguson though is not expecting an easy time against a Portsmouth side he is tipping to escape the drop under the charge of old friends Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith.
"With those two together, you can't see them going down," he said. "They are a wily pair you certainly wouldn't want to be playing poker against them.
"When you see the job Harry Redknapp did at West Ham and is now doing at Portsmouth, you have to be full of admiration for him.
"Jim is a great old friend of mine, who has had a fantastic career.
"They also have Teddy Sheringham who is nearly as old as they are and he will be a threat whether he is playing from the start or on the bench."
What United have to stop them with is a renewed confidence in defence.
The Red Devils have conceded just two goals in five games, keeping three clean sheets in the process, and no matter what other changes Ferguson is planning, his back four is likely to stay the same.
"Our defenders are in good form," said Ferguson.
"They got us through against Leicester and they are providing us with a good foundation to win matches, which is always the aim of this club.
"I have to be pleased with that."
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