Referee Alan Wiley has the right to sue Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for defamation according to Britain's top sports lawyer Mel Goldberg.

Following Ferguson's outburst directed at Wiley after the Red Devils' draw with Sunderland last week, Goldberg says that the official would in his right to take action over mistruths that were mentioned.

"Ferguson has said things that were patently untrue and which have been properly exposed as false," Goldberg said.

"I think Mr Wiley would be more than justified in taking legal action if he is not satisfied with any punishment handed out by the FA.

"The referee's union, Prospect, are clearly in favour of him suing Ferguson if the FA does not put an end to his bullying ways."