The Manchester United manager has struggled to contain his anger at the FA’s handling of the Evra affair, which related to a fracas involving a Chelsea groundsman during a post-match warm-down at Stamford Bridge last April, but his outrage grew when he discovered that Nicholas Stewart, QC, who chaired the four-man commission, has a season ticket at the Emirates Stadium.

While the integrity of Stewart, a specialist in sports law, is not in question, the decision to appoint an Arsenal fan to oversee the case has been seized upon by Ferguson as yet more evidence of a perceived anti- United conspiracy within the FA.

It emerged last night that Ferguson was so incensed by the discovery that he made reference to it in his column in the match programme for United’s 3-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday, only to remove his complaint on the recommendation of David Gill, the club’s chief executive.

Gill, a less confrontational figure, shared some of Ferguson’s unhappiness, but was able to persuade the United manager that it was not the time or the place to air such concerns.

Ferguson nonetheless made a more oblique reference to his latest grievance, writing: “I’m still shocked by the four-match ban handed out to Patrice following the incident at Stamford Bridge that saw him at odds with one of their groundsmen. It’s gone now, of course, and the important thing is our full concentration on getting the right result against a team who historically have done well at Old Trafford.”

Evra returned from suspension to play against Chelsea, having missed Barclays Premier League matches against Stoke City and Middlesbrough, an FA Cup tie against Southampton and the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg against Derby County.

United were highly critical of the FA’s handling of the case, both in terms of the severity of the defender’s punishment — Evra was also fined £15,000 — and the lack of action against the Chelsea employee, though they decided not to appeal. The club’s unhappiness grew when the FA published the full details of the commission’s report, including criticism of the testimonies of Mike Phelan, the assistant manager, and Richard Hartis, a goalkeeping coach. Lord Triesman, the FA’s independent chairman, felt compelled to apologise to Gill when they met on December 23.

Triesman tried to dismiss Ferguson’s concerns about an alleged anti-United bias at the FA, but it seems that the Scot is unconvinced. While Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, has infuriated Ferguson with a series of complaints about United in recent days, Ferguson appears determined to intensify his crusade against the game’s establishment.

Neither United nor the FA would comment last night, while Stewart could not be contacted. Stewart, who was called to the bar in 1971 and has been a QC since 1987, is described on the website of Ely Place, his chambers, as “a safe pair of hands” and is also an appeal board chairman and a specialist member of the FA’s judicial panel.

He was appointed to chair the Evra case, where he was joined on the commission by Barry Bright, the chairman of the FA’s disciplinary committee, Roy Carter, of the West Riding FA, and David Pleat, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager.

Times Online

The 30-year-old former Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Everton player, who has scored 12 goals this season for Championship (second division) side United, agreed a two and a half year deal with Premier League strugglers Stoke.

“James is a player who has an absolutely phenomenal goal-scoring record and I am delighted to have him here,” manager Tony Pulis told the club`s website (www.stokecityfc.co.uk).

Beattie, who made his England debut in a friendly against Australia in 2003, won five caps but fell out of international favour during a disappointing spell at Everton.

ANTARA

Instead, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men were treated to a 0-3 mauling by Manchester United, leaving them four points shy of the Merseysiders and just one ahead of the Red Devils.

It was just the latest in a series of disappointing displays from the Blues, who have now won just one of their last six games, and the supporters are starting to grow restless.

But Nicolas Anelka, the Premier League top-scorer, has urged the Stamford Bridge faithful to keep their chins up and look on the bright side.

“The fans have been frustrated by our recent results, which is logical,” the man often dubbed ‘Le Sulk’ said in The Guardian.

“As far as the players are concerned, we have not been happy with some of our games.

“The positive point is that we are still on course for the treble. We understand it’s going to be massively tough, but everything is possible.”

Chelsea will face Southend United in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday. Their Champions League last 16 clash with Juventus kicks off on February 25.

Mike Maguire, Goal.com

Leaders Liverpool have a five point lead over third-placed United, but the Manchester side have two games in hand.

“They are the favourites and the champions right now and have shown over the years they are a very powerful team,” said the 24-year-old Spaniard.

“They have two more games to play. If they catch up they will be top.”

Torres, who was one of the nominees for the Fifa Player of the Year title, won by United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, said his side’s match at Old Trafford on 14 March could decide the destination of the title.

“We know we have Old Trafford waiting for us and then Arsenal and Chelsea at home – we have to fight until the very end,” added the forward.

“The match at Old Trafford could turn out to be the decider and we hope we can be on an equal footing when we go there and try to win the match at a place that has not been advantageous for us in the past.”

United are at home to Wigan on Wednesday before travelling to Bolton next Saturday.

Wins would see Sir Alex Ferguson’s side gain the advantage in the title race with Liverpool not playing their next match until Monday 19 January when they host the derby against Everton.

BBC Sport

Suffering a first away league defeat this season on Sunday, the Blues were easily swept aside at Old Trafford.

“I think it has done some very big damage because we didn’t come here to play like this,” Scolari said.

“But don’t think if we lose one game we are finished. We have 17 games left and we will fight to the last.”

Chelsea failed to register a single shot on target and with an FA Cup replay at Southend on Wednesday, their form will be a huge concern for Scolari.

“You never know what will happen but if we play like we did today for the next three or four games we will not win,” the 60-year-old Brazilian added.

“But now is the time for me and the players to think about the future. We can lose everything or we can be men and we can improve.”

Second-placed Chelsea have won only one of their last five league games and were easily overpowered by United, who are now only one point behind them in third spot, with two games in hand.

Didier Drogba got the nod ahead of Nicolas Anelka to start up front on his own and while he helped Chelsea compete physically in the first half, Nemanja Vidic’s opener just before the break preceded a woeful second-half display.

“Manchester United were better than us,” added Scolari. “We were thinking about winning the game.

“Our performance for the first 45 minutes was very well but then we conceded a goal and that changes the game.

“After this goal they could play more freely. We tried to put more players in front and we give them the space they want to play.

“Now we need to think about the result, what happened to some players, what happened from set-plays and now we have to think about the future.”
Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho was eyeing up United at Old Trafford

Despite his side’s poor form and having recently off-loaded defender Wayne Bridge to Manchester City, Scolari maintained he remained happy with his current squad.

“We don’t need more players,” he said. “I don’t think they will arrive and I don’t want them anyway. This is my squad and I will improve them.”

Scolari was also adamant the presence of Chelsea’s former boss Jose Mourinho – now manager at Inter Milan – at Old Trafford had not added any pressure on him for Sunday’s game.

“Mourinho came here to watch Manchester United for the Champions League match next month,” Scolari said. “That is normal. He is an intelligent man. He didn’t come to tell me he loves me.”

Following their win, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson called on his players to make the most of the momentum they are building as they chase league leaders Liverpool, who are five points ahead of the Old Trafford outfit but have played two more games.

United could go top if they beat Wigan at home on Wednesday and Bolton away on Saturday, with Liverpool not playing Everton until Monday evening.

“After watching Liverpool draw on Saturday, we got exactly the result we needed,” stated Ferguson.

“But we’ve got some tough games coming up now. We’ve got Wigan, who are playing fantastically well at the moment, on Wednesday and then Bolton away, which is also a tough game.

“If we do our jobs right and win our two games we could be top of the league on Saturday.

“It is down to us now because it is something we want. We want to look at that table on Saturday and be top.

“So there’s a lot of interesting games to see in the next few weeks. January, as I’ve said, is a big month for us.”