Manchester: A dubious penalty decision cost Manchester United three points against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Sir Alex Ferguson concerned it may haunt his side come the end of the season.
Rio Ferdinand's challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa was ruled by referee Michael Jones to be fair, but after consulting his assistant, the official reversed the decision handing Demba Ba the opportunity to equalise for the visiting side.
Speaking after the game, Ferguson told Sky Sports News: "Everyone, including the referee, was astounded. He was put in a terrible position. Why can't the referee overrule it when he is only eight yards away?
"The problem is that the referees are full-time and the linesmen are not, and whether he ever gets a game again, the assistant referee, is not for me to decide but it was an absolutely shocking decision.
"It costs you. Two years ago when the linesman gave the offside goal against Chelsea it cost us the league, so hopefully we're not saying that at the end of May."
The Scottish manager was also quick to oppose the opinion of Magpies' boss Alan Pardew who stated that his side’s performance warranted a point.
"Listening to Alan Pardew's interview and he said he thought they were the better team in the first half, I don't know what game he was at," he explained.
"They made one chance in the match but in the first half Chicharito had four one-on-ones and on another day he takes two or three. In terms of creating chances we were fantastic, and if we play like that every week I'll be delighted."
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