Sir Alex Ferguson says Alan Pardew's criticism is hypocritical

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Alan Pardew of hypocrisy after the Newcastle manager criticised his behaviour on Boxing Day.

Pardew said the Football Association should have punished Ferguson for confronting officials during Manchester United's 4-3 win at Old Trafford.

"Alan Pardew is the worst for haranguing referees. His whole staff [do it] every game," Ferguson said.

Pardew served a two-match ban for pushing a match official in August.

Ferguson confronted referee Mike Dean, his assistant Jake Collin and the fourth official Neil Swarbrick at the start of the second half of the Premier League game at Old Trafford to protest over Newcastle's second goal.

Dean had ruled that Papiss Cisse was not interfering with play when Jonny Evans put through his own goal after 28 minutes, even though the Senegal international was in an offside position when Danny Simpson hit the initial shot.

Pardew was unhappy that the United manager, 70, avoided punishment over the confrontation because Dean did not mention the incident in his match report.

"I think Mike Dean might feel slightly disappointed he didn't do something about it," Pardew said after the game.

"I think the pressure that was on him was tough for a referee to take. I think there were a lot of things the FA could look at. But it seems they are looking at none."

Pardew was fined £20,000 and given a two-match touchline ban by the FA for pushing fourth official Peter Kirkup during Newcastle's 2-1 win over Tottenham on 18 August.

The Newcastle manager immediately apologised, talking of his shame at the "comical" incident, but Ferguson says Pardew now has no right to criticise the behaviour of others.

"I wasn't abusive of the referee - some managers push the linesman and make a joke of it," said the Scot.

"I'm not making a joke of it. I think [the goal] should've been disallowed, I really do. [Pardew] shoves the referee and makes a joke of it, and he's got the cheek to criticise - it's unbelievable.

"He forgets the help I gave him by the way.

"The press have had a field day out of it. They have addressed every possible avenue. The only one they have left out is Barack Obama. He is too busy.

"That is unfortunate. I carry that because I am the manager of the most famous club in the world. I am not like Newcastle, a wee club in the north east."

Ferguson said that he felt it was legitimate for him to question the decision of Dean to allow the goal.

"I called him over and said there was body contact," he said.

"The rule book says if your opponent is interfering with the defender then he's offside. The interpretation from Mike Dean was that he wasn't interfering, but I think he was."

Ferguson said that he remained calm during the conversation, and that he was happy with the way Dean dealt with the incident.

"I think Mike Dean handled it well. He is an experienced referee - mature. There was no ranting and raving from me," he said,

"I was demonstrative but I'm always demonstrative. I'm an emotional guy."

TV cameras recorded the discussion between Ferguson and Dean as the teams came out for the second half, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that it did not set a good example to those watching.

"The message it sends out when you look at the pictures is not to behave like that," he said.

Asked at a news conference whether he was surprised the referee did not mention the incident in his match report, Wenger said: "Yes, but you should ask this question to Mike Dean."

Wenger received an apology from referees' chief Keith Hackett after Dean sent him off for kicking a water bottle in a game at Old Trafford that Arsenal lost 2-1 in 2009.