He’s got a cheek! Man United’s Sir Alex hits back at Newcastle’s Pardew

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Alan Pardew after the Newcastle United manager criticised the behaviour of his Manchester United counterpart in their Boxing Day showdown.

The 71-year-old clashed with referee Mike Dean over Jonny Evans’ first-half own goal in United’s 4-3 victory over the Magpies after the strike was initially ruled out before being allowed to stand.

Pardew felt Ferguson should have been punished for angrily confronting the officials after it was revealed the Red Devils boss would avoid sanctions because Dean had not mentioned the incident in his post-match report.

“I think Mike Dean handled it well,” Ferguson said. “He’s an experienced referee and mature. There was no ranting and raving. I was demonstrative but I’m always demonstrative because I’m an emotional guy.

“I shouted him over and he came towards me. I wasn’t on the pitch for more than three or four yards and I think it’s been overplayed. Anyway, the problem for me and Manchester United is the profile of the club is huge.”

He added: “Alan Pardew came out and criticised me yet he is the worst at haranguing referees. His whole staff were at it the whole game on Wednesday.

“He shoves a linesman and makes a joke of it and yet he’s got the cheek to criticise me. It’s unbelievable and he forgets the help I gave him.

“Anyway, the press made a field day out of it and addressed every possible angle. The only one they left out is [speaking to] Barack Obama!

“The unfortunate caveat is I’m at the biggest club in the world not Newcastle, a wee club in the North East. I was demonstrative but not out of order. The press had a field day, it’s as simple as that.”