Ferguson made an aggressive clenched-fist celebration at home coach Wally Downes after Cristiano Ronaldo's goal and Coppell said: "I've known him for many years and he hasn't lost any of his fire and he hasn't mellowed.

"He intimidates more than enough people and you have to respond to intimidation.

"But any argument with Wally Downes would definitely have been a catchweight contest.

"Alex wasn't very happy about the amount of time the referee added on."