Ref was pressured - Fergie

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes referee Lee Mason was pressured in to reporting Wayne Rooney for his verbal tirade in to a TV camera last week after completing his hat-trick at West Ham.

The striker was charged and suspended for two games after the match official reported his antics to the FA in his post-match report, a move which his manager believes was fuelled by calls from the media.

Rooney will now sit out tomorrow's match against Fulham at Old Trafford, whilst missing the much-anticipated FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester rivals City at Wembley next Sunday.

He still has a key role to play in their Champions League Quarter-Final Second Leg against Chelsea, having scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge in the first match.