Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Kenny Dalglish and Graham Taylor of double standards as the Manchester United boss waits to defend himself against an improper conduct charge from the Football Association. Both Dalglish and former England boss Taylor were critical of Ferguson's behaviour in the matter.
"I was disappointed with Graham Taylor, who wrote that I had to take 'the rough with the smooth'," Ferguson told the official match programme United Review ahead of Saturday afternoon's FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal.
"I think back to when he was England manager and was complaining to a linesman: 'The referee has got me the sack.'
"People have short memories.
"Kenny Dalglish looked to be lecturing me in the papers about the need to respect referees, perhaps forgetting that not so long ago his players were tweeting critically all over the place about Howard Webb."
Ferguson intends to fight his corner vigorously when called before the FA feeling he has a cast-iron case.
"I felt aggrieved and I now face an FA charge for what, to my mind, was simply telling the truth.
"I will be defending myself strongly when my FA appeal hearing comes up.
"In fact, I am looking forward to the challenge because, to my mind, I have not said anything out of place, however much the media urge the FA to take action.
"The papers keep on and on about it because Manchester United are involved, and they failed to get the FA Compliance Unit to pick up on the Wayne Rooney incident in the Wigan game.
"I won't be on the back foot when I put my case to the FA, though.
"I don't think sticking up for my team makes me a villain, especially when you consider that Manchester United have one of the best disciplinary records in the country."
