United duo asked to explain criticism

An irate Ferguson claimed referee Martin Atkinson's display was "unacceptable" and also accused referees' chief Keith Hackett of "not doing his job properly" in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.

Ferguson and Queiroz, who also criticised Atkinson, were unhappy United were not given a first-half penalty for a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo.

United missed a succession of opportunities against Pompey at the weekend before Sulley Muntari netted a penalty after Tomasz Kuszczak fouled Milan Baros. Kuszczak, who had earlier replaced the injured Edwin van der Sar, was sent off, leaving Rio Ferdinand to face the spot-kick.

But it was Atkinson's decision not to award a penalty when Sylvain Distin appeared to barge Ronaldo off the ball that provoked Ferguson's ire.

The United boss, who admitted a charge of using abusive language to referee Mark Clattenburg following the 1-0 defeat at Bolton earlier this season, also felt Atkinson let Portsmouth players get away with too many fouls and accused the referee of being "on their side".

Ferguson said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. I cannot explain it. Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week."

He then turned on Hackett, saying: "He's not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed. I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance should not be accepted by our game."

Queiroz called Atkinson "a disgrace", while Ronaldo claimed after the game he is "scared" in games because he feels officials do not protect him.

Both parties have until Wednesday, March 19 to respond.