Rooney escapes with warning following ‘12th man’ claims

WAYNE ROONEY and Alex Ferguson have both escaped a misconduct charge following their angry reaction to Manchester United’s defeat to Chelsea.

Rooney has been warned about his future conduct by the Football Association after appearing to mouth “12th man” into a television camera.

The United striker made the comment as he left the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson, meanwhile, who condemned a free-kick decision by referee Martin Atkinson as “absolutely ridiculous”, will have no action taken against him whatsoever. An FA spokesman said: “Wayne Rooney has been warned as to his future conduct following remarks made yesterday.”

It is understood the FA are not planning to take any action against Ferguson as he did not question the referee’s integrity or claim there was any bias.

Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Darren Fletcher’s challenge on Ashley Cole and Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard’s delivery was turned into the net by John Terry.

Ferguson said afterwards: “Clearly, Darren Fletcher’s won the ball. Ashley Cole’s never been touched and has jumped up in the air and then (Didier) Drogba’s pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.

“The referee’s position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous – he can’t see anything. He’s got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him and he doesn’t even move.

“It was a bad decision, but there’s nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that’s the way the players are talking in there, it was a bad one.”

Referee Martin Atkinson may unwittingly have provided United with the impetus to land an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title.

Ferguson is never happier than when he can paint an image of his squad having their backs pressed against a wall, pushed there by some perceived injustice.

“What that match has done is provide a reminder that we are a very good team,” said Ferguson.

“We have been criticised recently by a lot of people. But we have a cause now. We want to win this league.”

It was at a similar point last season that United bounced back from defeat at Arsenal to embark on the run of 14 successive clean sheets that led to them finishing top of the Premier League.

Meanwhile Michael Owen’s World Cup dream is fading fast.

After being overlooked since the friendly defeat in France over 18 months ago, it was expected Owen could eventually force his way into Fabio Capello’s England squad after he completed a surprise summer move to Manchester United.

Yet Owen has found a starting spot hard to pin down at Old Trafford.

Despite Dimitar Berbatov’s absence, he was only on the bench for United’s defeat at Chelsea.

Capello does not feel it is enough to warrant Owen’s inclusion, despite citing the striker as “my torment” in a recent interview. And, after leaving him out of his squad for Saturday’s friendly with Brazil in Qatar, it is difficult to envisage that changing.