Sir Alex Ferguson feels Premier League referees should be subjected to the same kinds of training captains of industry are used to. "Training people to make decisions is important," said Ferguson.

"It is the same with any walk of life. It is why you have apprenticeships in engineering or courses in management.

"You need to hone skills, improve and develop them. Referees have to be the same. Making decisions quickly and accurately is key.

"It is not about fitness. Referees are full-time. We expect them to be fit. It is their decision-making we want to improve.

"Referees have to make sure they are doing the best training possible because their decisions need to be quick and accurate."

Nevertheless, Ferguson accepts there are occasions when, no matter what training a referee has had, he will make a decision a manager does not agree with.

"It is about how it affects your own team," said the Scot.

"Every manager will be the same. That will never be any different."