Ferguson, United blank media

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could face another charge after refusing to speak to the media on Sunday.

Ferguson refused to front up to a pre-planned media conference after his side slumped to a 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in United’s second English Premier League loss in five days,

Ferguson had commitments with television broadcaster SkySports, radio station TalkSPORT and the club’s own television station MUTV but – just two days after cancelling his pre-match news conference on Friday – did not fulfil his media commitments again.

Assistant Mike Phelan – a regular stand-in for Ferguson – was also a no-show.

If any of the media organisations expecting interviews complain to the Premier League, they will be forced to act and could hit Ferguson with another charge.

The manager’s silence comes in the same week as the 60-year-old was slapped with a charge of improper conduct from the Football Association after he slammed referee Martin Atkinson in the aftermath of Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson is appealing that charge but, if he fails, a stint on the sidelines is expected due to a suspended two-match ban imposed on him for comments he made about referee Mike Wiley’s fitness in 2009.

The only reaction to come from the club after Sunday’s defeat was via a club spokeswoman and defender Rio Ferdinand.

The spokeswoman confirmed in a statement on the club’s website that Portuguese midfielder Nani had suffered a ‘very deep gash’ in his left leg after a challenge from Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher on the stroke of half-time.

Ferdinand, who missed the match through a calf injury, admitted his side were second best in the fiery encounter at Anfield.

“Bad result today no excuses,” Ferdinand posted on his account on social networking website, Twitter.