Sir Alex Ferguson is crossing his fingers that he does not have reason to lament the display of Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir at Old Trafford.
Cakir has taken charge of two Manchester United games, and the Red Devils have won neither, losing in last season's Europa League to Athletic Bilbao after a Champions League draw with Benfica.
The 36-year-old has more recent knowledge of Real Madrid, even if he was criticised by Jose Mourinho for disallowing a goal during the Spanish giants' 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in December.
Additionally, the Portugal FA expressed concerns about Cakir's appointment prior to their Euro 2012 semi-final with Spain, believing the close ties between Turkey's Senes Erzik and Spanish representative Angel Mar?Villar Llona, deputy chairman and chairman respectively of UEFA's referee's committee, create an unholy alliance in such delicate matters.
Cakir himself has a fairly unblemished record, which Ferguson can only hope survives Tuesday evening's high-intensity contest.
"You hope in a game of this nature that you are going to get the best refereeing performance, on the same level as the players on the pitch," said Ferguson.
"Mistakes will be made by players and the referee but you hope it will be a top performance.
"You hope to get nothing less than the best, An occasion like this deserves that."
Update:
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what do you think?
Steve V
Complaining about ref even before a game? Low even by Fergie's standards. Time to ban him indefinitely and save the beautiful game.
Paul Gilbert
He's not complaining, just that he wants a fair referee who makes the right decisions, same as any normal person, whether its in United's favour or not. Unlike some clubs all United want and their supporters are fair decisions. Its got the anti United crowd at it again. Surprised Liverpool don't wear a green strip, oh I forgot they did for a while
Rob Shaw
Ooh AF is putting pressure on the ref before a game at old trafford again. Classic Fergie. And to say Fergie wants fair decisions is laughable. They have always felt they should get special treatment at Old Trafford. By saying this about the ref before the game, he is just reminding him what they expect
Martin Massey
Lets 'hope your accusation comes true & he gets 2 pens that weren't 2 offside goals & 6mins extra time to gloat!!! Then you can go to bed happy.
Paul Gilbert
Rubbish, no pressure if he does his job correctly. Still remember Paul Scholes' goal being incorrectly ruled out against Porto. Look how that changed history - Porto won the CL and Mourinho's career took off
Jaryd Govindan
how many games have we seen where refs decisions have a drastic affect on the results. so its fair a fair comment that he's made. don't see any pressure being put on the ref. just asking him to do what he's paid to do and the players like wise, united all the way.
Paul Gilbert
What a surprise, yet another bad decision in CL 56 mins: NANI SENT OFF!Shocking decision from the referee as he shows Nani a straight red card! The Portuguese winger catches Arbeloa in the stomach with a high boot but his eyes were on the ball. It was a foul and at the very most a yellow card, but never, not in a million years, was that a red. Fergie is absolutely fuming. Cuneyt Cakir has completely changed the complexion of this tie.
Rob Shaw
Red Card all day
Andy Smithies
When did they move the stomach to the upper chest area then?? LOL
Paul Gilbert
These are not my comments - it is Orange's commentary - unbiased you would think.
Paul Gilbert
80 mins:United's fans appeal for handball after Ramos blocks Welbeck's shot inside the area, but even if the Spaniard had picked it up and ran up the other end the referee wouldn't have given it. Rafael then blasts the rebound over.
Paul Gilbert
90+3 mins:Another brilliant save by Lopez as he dives to his left to palm away Vidic's header from a corner. United are then denied a penalty by the referee after Ramos brings down Evra inside the box. This ref is going to get lynched by the United fans at the end of this game!
Paul Gilbert
Fergie sensed that the referee was going to be rubbish
Rob Shaw
Great reff'ing :) Pressure on him by Fergie massively backfired
Diane Rogers
5:45pm on 4/3/2013
Putting pressure on ref again
Martin Massey
6:35pm on 4/3/2013
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