Ferguson was incensed that Darren Fletcher was booked for diving by Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca instead of a penalty being awarded in the thrilling 3-3 draw against CSKA Moscow.

Antonio Valencia scored the equaliser in stoppage time at Old Trafford to secure United's place in the last 16. Ferguson, however, rounded on the official and said: "You can't appeal a yellow card. I can understand in domestic football that it could get lost in the system.

"But in European football it is crucial because, later in the tournament, to miss a really important game because of that is unfair. They should look at that but they won't. I cannot believe the decision (of the referee). Okay, it is human error, but it was one of the worst in my lifetime.''

United were facing their first home defeat in 23 Champions League games after finding themselves two goals down to the Russians early in the second half. Wayne Rooney, whose wife Coleen gave birth to baby boy Kai yesterday, was then introduced and - according to CSKA coach Leonid Slutski - changed the face of the game.