Fergie demands respect

The lack of respect shown to officials in the game has been a major talking point this week after Chelsea's Ashley Cole turned his back on referee Mike Riley as he tried to book him.

"The haranguing of referees is ridiculous, we know that," said Ferguson. "We are talking about introducing this (new FA scheme) into the grass-roots level, respect for the referee. It is absolutely correct."

The Cole incident came just a day after the Football Association launched a grass-roots trial scheme, whereby only captains can speak to referees, aimed at improving the situation.

Ferguson has applauded these efforts to address the problem and said he would not accept similar behaviour from his own team.

The Scot feels United have learned from an infamous incident in 2000 when a group of players, led by former captain Roy Keane, chased referee Andy D'Urso after he awarded Middlesbrough a controversial penalty.

Ferguson said: "We had a pivotal moment a few years ago when my players surrounded Andy D'Urso. I was off my head with them, I thought it was ridiculous. It never happened again.

"We tell them to shake the hand of the referee after the game, when it is finished. It is sometimes difficult but you have to do it, in the same way as when you lose a game and you invite the opposing manager in for a drink after the game.

"I saw the other night one of my players changed his jersey with one of the Bolton players who had committed 10 fouls against him.

"I said that was good because the match was over, all forgotten, we move on with life. I think that's what we have to do."