Why do they all get the hump with Wally Downes?

And there was a row with Newcastle's Emre, who swore at Downes after being 'upset' by something he had said.

In December when Sunderland manager Roy Keane went ballistic in Steve Coppell's office at the Madejski Stadium, guess who was there sticking his oar in? On Saturday the Reading assistant manager was at it again, throwing his considerable weight around in an angry exchange with Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline.

So what is it about Downes that gets people's goat?

"It would have been a catchweight contest," smirked Reading manager Steve Coppell after his assistant clashed with Ferguson over the amount of injury time referee Steve Bennett had indicated.

The pair exchanged words — typical heat of the battle stuff — but the Manchester United manager responded with an offensive gesture which appeared to be aimed at Reading's supporters after Cristiano Ronaldo sealed their 2-0 victory.

Likeable Londoner Downes is making a habit of getting involved in touchline disputes.

But there is another side to a man regarded by his former manager Dave Bassett as one of the country's best coaches.

Downes, who was forced to stop playing with a knee injury in 1988, is one of the highest qualified coaches in the country.

Bassett, who is now assistant manager to Dennis Wise at Leeds, said: "Steve and Wally are chalk and cheese and that's what makes them such a successful partnership. Steve has a dry sense of humour. Wally is very quick-witted and he picks up on people's deficiencies very quickly. That makes people vulnerable and he's no one's fool.

"He can be frightening for people trying to get to know him, but this reputation as a troublemaker is completely unfair. He's still upset that the FA allowed Warnock off scot-free last season.

"He can be intimidating but he's a clever man. He's not obsessed with football and he can talk with some authority about religion, politics and literature. He never ceases to surprise me."

Ferguson is likely to escape FA punishment for his gesture, thanks to the Reading fans. The FA may still write to the Manchester United manager seeking an explanation.

But Reading are understood to have received no complaints and video evidence is inconclusive as to the exact nature of the gesture.