Ferguson rages at the 'crazy tacklers' who put careers in danger

At the end of a week that has seen Tottenham's Didier Zokora and Liverpool's Peter Crouch sent off for two-footed lunges, Manchester United manager Ferguson believes the offence should warrant an automatic red card. He also called on the authorities to increase the punishment from the three-match suspension that currently follows a dismissal.

Ferguson said: "It is a problem for the game this season. We don't want to see some of these tackles because what will happen is that a player will be put out of the game, he will then sue his opponent and it doesn't do the game any good.

"Is three matches enough for these tackles? I'm wondering whether it should be more.

"A player can get three games for slapping an opponent in the face — like Wayne Rooney did with Tal Ben Haim a couple of years ago — and a two-footed tackle sometimes gets a yellow card. It's crazy."

Though referee Steve Bennett was criticised for his decision to send off Zokora at Manchester City on Tuesday night, Ferguson believes referees should be directed to show a red card for every two-footed tackle.

His logic is that this can be downgraded to a caution the following day when video evidence is analysed.

Ferguson added: "There is a bigger responsibility on referees than ever before. The problem is that they always have a yellow card as a kind of escape clause. The directive has to come stronger from the referee's chief, Keith Hackett. Once you have given a yellow you can't do anything about it. But if you give a red card then you can have it rescinded.

"The referee can look at it again the next morning and say 'maybe I was wrong'. You are better doing that than having the situation Steve Bennett was in the other night when he was castigated for not sending Steed Malbranque off for a two-footed tackle because he had already sent off Zokora.

"I'd rather see the ref give a red card for the safety of the players and then think about it next morning. For the best interests of the game, the referee — if he has any doubt — should issue the red card."

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez renewed his call for video evidence to be allowed following Crouch's dismissal.

He said: "We have had meetings and Keith Hackett was clear: two-footed tackles in the air, whether you touch or you don't touch, must be a red card.

"But the key is to be consistent. There was a very bad tackle on Arbeloa recently that could have broken his leg. The player (El Hadj Diouf) was only given yellow. Why? He needs to be made to think twice.

"If you want to protect the players then you must refer to video evidence. It would also help the referees."

But last night referees took a neutral stance on Ferguson's call. Barclays Premier League communications chief Dan Johnson, speaking on behalf of Professional Game Match Officials, said: "The involvement of referees is in spotting and punishing the offence. Any subsequent action is entirely up to the Football Association."

The FA could not be contacted for a response last night, although it is thought such a radical change in disciplinary procedure would need FIFA approval.

United begin their Christmas and New Year programme with a home game against Everton tomorrow.

Centre forward Rooney is bound to receive a hot reception from fans of his former club, just as he did at Liverpool last weekend.

And Ferguson has once again called for him to receive more protection from referees.

He said: "Last week he didn't get a break off the ref. It was ridiculous. Every time the crowd roared to give a foul against him he gave one. But he is doing well at the moment.

"Strikers tend to score in bursts. He hit seven in a row and then missed four games but he's been playing well since he returned."

Ferguson revealed last night that goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has agreed a new one-year contract, while United have signed 24-year-old Angolan striker Manucho Goncalves but must wait for a work permit.